AFTER a two week trial, jurors are to set to decide whether a man who mowed down a rival with his van is a murderer.
Reading Crown Court has heard how Ryan Willicombe, of Home Straight, Newbury, was involved in a feud with another youth, Kayden Williams, who he clipped with his wing mirror after he aimed his vehicle towards his motorised bike.
But he hit Sheldon Lewcock head on, fatally injuring him in Pierces Hill, Tilehurst, on August 4, 2022.
Was 19-year-old Mr Willicombe, a “wannabe mass murderer,” as the defence claims he has been wrongly portrayed?
Or did he, in a moment of impulsivity aggravated by ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), aim his van simply to frighten his alleged tormentors?
Mr Willicombe has admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
But he denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter in respect of Mr Lewcock.
He further denies assaulting Mr Williams with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Summing up the prosecution case on Monday, April 29, Philip Evans KC, advised jurors to “strip away emotions.”
He added: “To be guilty of murder you don’t have to intend to kill someone - just to cause them really serious bodily harm.
“This is an extremely clear case of murder; if you drive a 1.6 ton transit van on the wrong side of the road…when a group of people are riding motorcycles in the opposite direction, in the lane you’re turning your vehicle into, would a sober and reasonable person think that would create a risk of some harm?
“It’s as patently obvious as the fact that night follows day.”
He added: “The real question for you to determine is: when Mr Willicombe deliberately turned the wheel of that van and placed it in the lane in which those bikes were approaching, what was his intention?
“We say it was obviously his intention to cause - at the least - really serious harm.”
Paul Bogan KC, defending, said: “A collision occurred…which led to the end of a short life, tragically.
“The central issue, if not the only issue, is: in that couple of seconds, what was (Mr Willicombe’s) state of mind - his intention?
“We say his intention wasn’t to cause serious injury; indeed, it wasn’t to cause any injury at all.
“It was merely to frighten Kayden Williams…no injury or harm was intended at all.”
He added: “It would be impossible, on the evidence you’ve heard, to be sure that (to cause harm) was his state of mind.
“His ADHD might help to explain his impulsive behaviour when he first saw Kayden Williams.
“He swerved towards him spontaneously and impulsively; there wasn’t enough time to have any proper, reasonable judgement.
“Quite some time was taken suggesting Mr Willicombe wanted to take the whole group out.
“Really?
“He’s now a wannabe mass murderer?
“Is that sensible - or is that made up?
“We say this was obviously someone who wanted to give someone else a fright; to turn towards them for half a second and then back - an action consistent with his intention to frighten.”
The jury is due to begin considering verdicts today, Tuesday.
There has been a considerable police presence in court during the trial.
Emotive testimony has included messaging between Mr Willicombe and friends and family following the incident in which he said of Mr Lewcock: “I hope he dies…I hope he paralysed.
“If Sheldon dies I’ll laugh myself to sleep.”
Mr Lewcock had suffered catastrophic injuries and died, five days after the incident, from multiple organ failure.
