A driver who crashed into an electrician, seriously injuring him, has been found not guilty after claiming he was being chased by masked men.
Harry Rogers, 26, crashed his Mercedes into Elliot Ransom on Plumstead High Street - pinning him between his car and the wall.
However, a Woolwich Crown Court jury unanimously found him not guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after being told that he was being chased by men he believes wanted to stab him.
At 11.45am on April 16, 2020, Rogers drove at high speeds along Wickham Lane before hitting a bollard and driving diagonally across a roundabout on Plumstead High Street.
He then crashed into Mr Ransom, who had just emerged out of a hole in the pavement where he had been installing BT wires.
The electrician was trapped between the car and wall until a group of civilians managed to lift the car away from him.
In a statement read in court, Mr Ransom said: “I could see my leg was floppy and I could see my right leg from the knee down was pointing in a different direction."
He was taken to hospital where he remained until June, Prosecutor Nathan Palmer said.
Gabrielle Compton, representing Rogers, said he was being chased by an Audi which contained at least one man wearing a balaclava.
Prior to the crash the Audi had bumped into the back of his car and those inside it had made threatening gestures, Ms Compton said.
Rogers had reason to believe those in the car wished to do him or his passenger serious harm and this was why he had been driving as he had, Ms Compton argued.
CCTV footage from moments before the crash showed Rogers' black Mercedes driving erratically, followed closely by a grey Audi which was also driving at high speeds.
Rogers and his passenger fled the scene after the crash, but a short time later they returned to the scene with their hands held out and told police: “We’re the ones you’re looking for.”
Rogers told police that he had been chased by an Audi and that they had fled the scene because they didn't want to be stabbed.
He also told police he hadn't realised he had hit Mr Ransom.
After hearing three days of evidence a jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty on Monday, March 20.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here