Keith McCarthy murder trial begins in Chelmsford Crown Court

Kerrin Repman died from his injuries after his vehicle was struck by a BMW being driven by Keith McCarthy in Marine Parade, Dovercourt, in April 2020.

McCarthy, of Hordle Street, Dovercourt, fled the scene and headed to Ireland before he was extradited to England in December 2020 and arrested, Chelmsford Crown Court was told today.

The 42-year-old appeared before the court today and denies murder and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

Killed - Kerrin Repman (Image: Newsquest)

Amjad Malik KC, prosecuting, claimed 29-year-old Kerrin’s death was the “obvious and intended consequence” of the defendant’s driving as the trial began.

The court heard Kerrin, a chef, had allegedly racked up a drugs debt and took to selling illicit goods to pay his boss back.

However, McCarthy had become disgruntled at debts owed to him by this same person, and had begun to direct his anger towards Kerrin.

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There were a series of encounters between the pair in the days prior to the fatal incident but the final, deadly meeting occurred shortly before 3pm on April 15, 2020.

Mr Malik said McCarthy had come across Kerrin riding his moped in Fronks Road and had performed a dangerous 180-degree turn to pursue him while his 19-year-old son was in the car.

Accused - Keith McCarthy (Image: Newsquest)

An expert told the court the moped hit an average speed of 55mph in the 30mph limit as Kerrin attempted to flee, but McCarthy’s pursuit saw him reach 80mph.

The chase came to a fatal end when the BMW overtook a stationary car and, when cutting back in near the Cliff Road junction, struck the back of the moped.

Kerrin was catapulted onto the road surface and was declared dead minutes later.

Mr Malik said: “The BMW, after striking the scooter, continued along the road and it hit a lamppost.

“The defendant left the scene as quickly as he could.

Collision - the incident happen in Marine Parade near to the Cliff Road junction (Image: Google)

“He made no attempt to speak to anybody or to check on the welfare of Mr Repman who had come off that motor scooter.”

A post mortem examination revealed Kerrin had suffered spinal fractures, an injury to his chest wall and internal bleeding.

“He [McCarthy] drove that vehicle to pursue Mr Repman at such speeds that he was driving deliberately and dangerously in order to catch him,” added Mr Malik.

“A motorcyclist is not within a protective shell of a car.

“He is clearly in danger of being thrown off the scooter if the scooter is rammed and he will sustain the most serious injuries if struck at speed.

“The prosecution allege the defendant intended, at the very least, to cause Mr Repman really serious harm, if not to actually kill him.”

• The trial, which is expected to last up to three weeks, continues.