Prison driver killed drunk woman

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A prison van driver deliberately drove over and killed a woman in a "moment of madness", a court has heard.

Andrew Curtis, from Orpington, south-east London, did not stop his van until Nyaraui Benjamin's head was trapped under his wheel, the Old Bailey heard.

Miss Benjamin had been drunk and started dancing in front of the van at traffic lights in Brixton last April, jurors were told.

Mr Curtis, 49, denies murder and manslaughter charges.

The incident was witnessed by a group of people who shouted at Mr Curtis and surrounded the van until the police arrived, jurors heard.

Prosecutor Simon Denison QC, said Miss Benjamin was a well-known local character who was often drunk and prone to dancing in front of the traffic.

The jury heard when the traffic lights turned green and Miss Benjamin did not move, Mr Curtis drove forward.

People shouted at him to stop but he continued, stopping only when her head came into contact with the inside of the rear wheel Simon Denison QC

Mr Denison said: "If he had been acting responsibly, he would have waited for her to clear out of the way.

"She was not presenting any threat to him. Instead, as if he had been goaded by her, he edged up to her and stopped."

The jury heard Mr Curtis crept forward, twice forcing Miss Benjamin back. She then grabbed the van's windscreen wiper before slipping over.

"She was dragged forward. Even then, if he had stopped she would have suffered no more harm than a few bruises," said Mr Denison.

"People shouted at him to stop but he continued, stopping only when her head came into contact with the inside of the rear wheel.

"She was killed suddenly and utterly needlessly by this defendant in a moment of utter madness."

At the time of the incident, Mr Curtis was transporting prisoners from Brixton prison to the City of Westminster Magistrates Court.

He told police he thought the woman had moved out of his way as he could not see her.

The trial has been adjourned until Tuesday.