Dagenham Iceland death: John Avers 'repeatedly ran over' in car park

John Avers was found seriously injured at a car park in Whalebone Lane South, Dagenham

A "distressing" video of a man repeatedly run over by a BMW in an east London supermarket car park has been played in court.

John Avers, 47, suffered "catastrophic" injuries when he was held down and run over four times, the Old Bailey was told.

Bobby Ternent, 32, and his father Gary Ternent, 59, are on trial accused of murdering Mr Avers in Dagenham shortly before midnight on 13 September, 2020.

The pair deny murder.

Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones QC said Mr Avers had been picked up by the defendants in a "sporty" BMW and driven to an Iceland car park in Whalebone Lane South.

He told jurors that Mr Avers was then "deliberately" run over.

Opening the trial, Mr Emlyn Jones said: "With Bobby Ternent at the wheel, and Gary Ternent holding John Avers down on the ground in front of the car, John Avers was run over once, then Bobby Ternent spun the car around and ran over him again.

"Gary Ternent then ran to join his son in the car before they then ran their victim over a third time - and a fourth time.

"Only then, no doubt satisfied that they had done enough damage, that they drove away, leaving John Avers dying or more likely already dead from the catastrophic injuries they caused him."

'Vital evidence'

The reason why may not emerge in the trial but what happened was "beyond doubt" because it was seen by local residents and captured on CCTV, Mr Emlyn Jones said.

Before playing the footage, the prosecutor warned jurors that the "vital evidence" made for "distressing viewing".

He said: "It shows you just about everything you will need to know so I am going to play it to you at the outset."

Members of Mr Avers' family left court as the graphic footage was played.

Footage allegedly showed a "scuffle" and Mr Avers thrown to the ground before he was run over.

'Successful businessman'

Following arrests, Bobby Ternent admitted running over his friend Mr Avers in a row over money.

He claimed the victim had asked him to look after £40,000 then screamed at him that the money was "short" when they arranged to hand it back.

The jury heard he had tried to drive over Mr Avers' legs to stop him getting up and had thrown the money out of the car as he drove away.

Afterwards, Bobby Ternent changed his clothes at home and burnt the BMW X6 which had false plates, jurors heard.

Mr Emlyn Jones said the prosecution did not suggest Mr Avers was a "big time villain".

Previously, he was a "very successful businessman" running a sash windows carpentry company and lived in a million-pound house, jurors heard.

When his business went downhill, he sold his home, his marriage fell apart and he turned to drink and drugs, the court was told.

Mr Emlyn Jones said that on the night of his death, Mr Avers texted his ex-wife: "I'm going to get your house back."

The prosecutor suggested that whatever the truth, having a row over money and being threatened was not a defence to murder.

He said: "If Bobby Ternent deliberately ran over John Avers as he appears to admit he did, and as we can see anyway from the CCTV that he did, the prosecution say that makes him guilty of murder."

The trial continues.