A man on trial for murder after his car hit the back of a motorbike, killing its 17-year-old rider, sent a message to his girlfriend shortly after the crash, a court was told.
Harley Lea suffered fatal head injuries when he was thrown from the motorbike after it was struck by Brandon Glover's Toyota Corolla on Park Road, near the junction of Blackbrook Road and Boardmans Lane, St Helens in the early hours of October 4 2022. Two other men, Jordan Carter and Louis Coleman, who were bike passengers were also injured.
Brandon Glover, 24, of Pasture Close in Clock Face, has pleaded not guilty to murder, manslaughter, two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of GBH and is now on trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Following the incident, Glover remained at the scene and called emergency services.
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Today, March 21, Glover gave his evidence in court.
The court was told how shortly before midnight on October 3, 2022, Glover said he received a message from his brother Benjamin to say his motorbike had been "robbed". Benjamin had also called police to report the theft and around 12.15am, the brothers went in search of the bike.
Glover, who said he was a "careful and considerate" driver, had passed his test six months beforehand and would regularly use his car for work. The court heard how Glover, in the car with his brother, heard motorbikes nearby before spotting the bikes "a while ahead".
When asked by defence counsel Stanley Reiz KC what they would have done if they found the stolen motorbike, Glover replied he would have called the police, but was hoping "they would just dump it somewhere."
Wanting to get a "better look", Glover said: "It didn't matter if we lost them, it was insured anyway." Glover was said to have pursued the two motorbikes through the general area, travelling at the speed limit of 30mph, before being cut off by a set off bollards.
Reversing out of the estate, he soon found them again on Park Road as he increased his speed. Glover told the court: "The bikes were going faster, so I went faster." But he added at that point he believed he was travelling around the 40mph zone.
The court heard how Glover's fog lights were also on so he could "increase the amount of light", however, he denied using them for "aggression". He said he applied the brakes as he neared the end of the road, later adding: "It was all happening too quick to put into words".
As Glover said he "didn't expect one of the bikes to slow down", the court heard he "smashed his brakes" but collided with one of the motorbikes. Glover, who appeared emotional in the courtroom, went on to say that after the crash, he kicked open his "crumpled door" to exit the vehicle and initially thought it "wouldn't be that bad."
He said: "The body was in front of me in direct view", as he added: "I didn't think it was real at that point. Something like that is so unnatural to see."
He told the court: "It's a lot to take in. I just shut down." Shortly after calling 999, Glover told the court he sent a picture of himself to his girlfriend with the message "this is the last time you will see me" as he says the situation "started to dawn on me."
When asked by Mr Reiz KC whether he deliberately drove into the motorbikes he said "no", adding: "I have too much to lose over a motorbike, it was insured anyway, you can replace that."
Asked how he felt now, Glover said: "It's hard to put into words. It's hard to deal with. It doesn't play lightly on you, you have killed someone." He added: "A lot of the time I spent on remand was thinking about what I could've done differently."
During cross examination, prosecuting counsel Andrew O’Byrne KC asked Glover why he was pursuing the motorbikes if the bike was fully insured, to which he replied it was "out of interest" as he wanted to understand what happened to his brother's bike.
Mr O'Byrne suggested Glover was "determined" to find the motorbikes, but Glover, who said he and his brother were relaxed, replied he "had an interest to follow them and get close enough to see." At that point, Glover said he did not know whether the bike was or was not his brother's.
Glover, who was speeding closer to 70mph, said he thought he was travelling at around 40mph on the 30mph road. Mr O’Byrne said: "I don't doubt in normal circumstances you are a careful and considerate driver, what I want to ask you, why is it here you have lost that caution?"
He went on to say Glover "travelled straight into them (motorbikes)", which Glover said was "not correct". He later added: "I didn't expect the bikes to slow down, if anything I expected them to speed up."
Mr O’Byrne asked Glover why he made no attempt to deviate and instead continued straight, asking was it because he was "angry", as Glover replied "no", saying he "continued in my lane".
The court also heard a statement read out from Glover's partner Ellie who described him as the "most genuine, kind-hearted and loving person you could meet." She added: "Brandon doesn't have a bad bone in his body, he has a heart of gold and is always willing to help anyone else and is first to do so."
She went on to say: "I'm forever grateful to have him in my life. There aren't enough words to describe the type of person he is."
The court heard how when Glover found out he would be a dad, he "got stuck into it" and helped his partner throughout the pregnancy.
The trial continues.
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