Trial of death by dangerous driving accused begins

The trial of a man accused of causing the death of a 29-year-old by accelerating and braking while the man was on his car bonnet has begun.

Jackson Paul, 35, has denied causing the death of Jordan Thomas by dangerous driving.

Douglas Courthouse heard Mr Thomas died nine days after sustaining injuries when he came off the front of the black BMW being driven by Mr Paul on Harbour Road in Onchan on 25 February.

Prosecutor Roger Kane said the car had been reversed before being driven forward at a speed of up to 32mph (51km/h) after Mr Thomas had "placed himself on the bonnet".

Mr Kane said the incident had been reported to police at about 19:45 GMT and Mr Paul was arrested at the scene that evening.

Mr Thomas was taken to Noble's Hospital with "catastrophic" head injuries before being transferred to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool when he died on 4 March.

Mr Kane said witnesses had seen Mr Thomas standing on the side of the road that evening appearing "unsteady on his feet", with one describing him as having climbed onto her car bonnet.

The prosecutor said climbing on the front of two strangers' vehicles was "bizarre" and "not normal behaviour".

The court heard toxicology reports did not show any substances in Mr Thomas' system aside from over the counter medication.

When interviewed the following day, Mr Paul told officers he had tried to put the automatic car into reverse to cause Mr Thomas to roll off the bonnet but the vehicle had moved forward so he braked hard but did "not foresee the risk" to him, the court was told.

Mr Kane said taking those actions "while a human is on the bonnet of the car" was "dangerous driving".

In a statement read to the court Sgt Christopher Beaumont said Mr Paul had returned negative results for a drug wipe and breath test on the evening of his arrest.

Deemster Graeme Cook told the jury the case involved a "sad death" but they "must try and remove all emotions" during the proceedings.

The trial is due to continue at Douglas Courthouse on Tuesday.

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