UK Motorist Struck Crowd Intending to Kill After Bar Dispute, Murder Trial Hears

A 40-year-old motorist deliberately drove his vehicle onto a pavement intending to kill a crowd following a verbal dispute outside a bar, Nottingham Crown Court heard on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred in Arnold, near Nottingham, on May 9, resulted in the death of 26-year-old amateur footballer Tyler Fairman and left multiple other individuals injured after a red Vauxhall Astra ploughed into the group.

Prosecutor Gareth Weetman KC told the court that Duane Anthony mounted the kerb in a 'cold, calculated and violent' manner, giving pedestrians 'no hope' of evading the vehicle. CCTV footage presented to the jury showed Fairman and others being forcefully thrown by the impact. Paramedics arriving at 1:10 a.m. found Fairman unresponsive with severe skull fractures and brain swelling; he succumbed to his injuries three days later on May 12 after life support was withdrawn. Four other victims sustained injuries ranging from head trauma to knee and rib damage.

Anthony faces charges of murder, five counts of attempted murder, and driving while disqualified, all of which he denies. Prosecutors outlined that the confrontation began as an argument outside Sasha's Bar between Anthony’s group and Fairman’s teammates from Woodthorpe Park Rangers. Although no physical violence initially occurred, Anthony allegedly walked to his parked vehicle, drove back to the scene, and targeted the crowd before fleeing on foot without rendering aid.

Anthony's partner, Destiny Carrier, 29, is also on trial accused of assisting an offender by allegedly helping him evade law enforcement in the immediate aftermath. Authorities subsequently arrested Anthony later that day. The trial before Nottingham Crown Court continues as proceedings examine further witness and forensic evidence.