A motorist accused of murdering a cyclist on a Norwich ring road has told a jury he never intended to hit him, insisting he only meant to “wind up” the rider.

David Morgan, 40, of George Winter Court, Norwich, is on trial at Norwich Crown Court accused of the murder of Richard Smith, 50, a father of three who died after being knocked from his bicycle on Chartwell Road on 8 May 2026. Morgan denies murder but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Mr Smith, who was cycling home from work, suffered extensive head injuries and died in hospital three days later, on 11 May.

What the prosecution alleges

Prosecutor Charles Myatt told the court the collision was a deliberate act. He said Morgan had been driving his white Mercedes CLA 180 Sport along Chartwell Road when he swerved into Mr Smith, throwing him over the handlebars and into the road.

The court heard that moments earlier Mr Smith had shouted at Morgan, who had been trying to overtake and undertake traffic on the busy road. The prosecution said Morgan had spent the afternoon drinking at the Sole and Heel pub in Rackheath, where CCTV showed him ordering drinks, before leaving to collect his children from school.

Morgan failed a roadside alcohol test after his arrest, recording 57 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, against a legal limit of 35. He also tested positive for cannabis and cocaine. His children were in the car at the time of the collision, the court heard.

Morgan gives evidence

Giving evidence on the fifth day of his trial, Morgan told jurors he had “no intention of hitting or hurting” Mr Smith. He said he had tried to swerve in front of the cyclist but mistimed the manoeuvre, and that he was “95% certain” he had not hit Mr Smith off his bike.

Mr Myatt told the jury that the fact Morgan's car came into contact with Mr Smith's bicycle was not in dispute, and that the issue for jurors to decide was how exactly and why it happened.

Mr Smith suffered fractures to the right side and the base of his skull, and the cause of death was recorded as traumatic head injuries. He was wearing a protective helmet at the time of the collision.

Morgan was arrested at his father's house at about 7pm on 8 May, hours after the collision, and was taken to a police station. The court was shown CCTV of Morgan at the Sole and Heel pub earlier that afternoon, where he was seen ordering drinks and dancing from side to side.

The trial continues. Morgan denies murder.