A driver accused of a fatal hit and run in Halesowen has told a jury he 'feared for his own safety' at the time.

Nidal Alboraiki claims a group, including 36-year-old Benjamin Morse, was shouting racial abuse at his party. The 21-year-old says he: "Was not driving fast [or] in a dangerous manner".

The prosecution have alleged that Alboraiki deliberately drove his Vauxhall Corsa at the group and hit Morse, who was catapulted into the air and onto the road. The labourer sustained serious head injuries and died in hospital. Richard Atkins QC prosecuting had told the jury: 

"To drive at someone once is bad enough, but to do it a second time demonstrates that [he] was not just driving dangerously but with murderous intent".

The court heard that Alboraiki attempted to have the damage to his car repaired the following day, telling the mechanic: "I drank too much last night. I hit a tree. The tree fell into my car."

Alboraiki has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Morse, to causing his death by dangerous driving and a charge of perverting the course of justice by seeking to dispose of his Vauxhall.

Ahmed Alboraiki, his 19 year old brother of the same address, has denied perverting the course of justice by taking a mobile telephone off Nidal so it could not be examined by police and the their trial is continuing.