A man has gone on trial accused of attempting to murder a couple who were injured when he deliberately drove his “jacked-up” Mitsubishi Shogun at them as the stood outside their Bradford home.
Daniel McAllister, 34, has admitted two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving over the incident which happened on Dene Road, between Cooper Lane and Beacon Road, on the evening of July 8, 2021.
But a jury at Bradford Crown Court heard today that McAllister denied attempting to murder the two complainants or intending to cause them really serious harm.
During his opening to the jury prosecutor Christopher Rose played three CCTV clips which captured the moment McAllister’s vehicle, which was a higher than normal 4x4 with chunky tyres, came down the road and then drove directly towards the man and woman as they stood in front their car which was parked on their driveway.
“In respect of both the prosecution say there can only have been one thing in Mr McAllister’s mind and in his actions when he drove his vehicle into them and that was to take their lives,” alleged Mr Rose.
In the footage the Shogun, which was also fitted with bull bars at the front, initially struck the male complainant, who was thrown to the side, but Mr Rose said the woman “took the full impact”.
The footage showed the woman, who suffered significant leg injuries, being hit by the Shogun and briefly being pinned between that vehicle and the couple’s own parked car.
The male complainant was able to smash a window on the Shogun as it reversed back into another parked car before McAllister drove away from the scene.
McAllister, of Sharp Avenue, Wibsey, Bradford, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of attempted murder and not guilty to two alternative allegations of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Mr Rose said after his arrest later that day McAllister was interviewed by police, but he answered no comment to all questions.
He confirmed that McAllister had now admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to both complainants, but Mr Rose added:”The Crown say, however, he is guilty of significantly more and that in fact he is guilty of attempted murder.”
The trial is expected to last about a week and the jury will begin hearing the prosecution evidence tomorrow morning.
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