Mercedes driver accused of murdering man who died three years after he ran over him in Birmingham

A driver has been accused of murdering a pedestrian he deliberately ran over who died from his injuries three years later, a court has heard. Shahid Ali has already been convicted of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm to Patrick Colbert in Balsall Heath in July 2017, a jury was told.

But the victim was found dead in his supported accommodation in March 2020 after suffering a suspected seizure, having developed epilepsy from the road traffic collision. Ali, aged 50, previously from Washwood Heath, went on trial at Birmingham Crown Court earlier today - Tuesday, November 19 - denying a charge of murder.

The jury was told he maintains he was wrongly convicted of intentional GBH because he does not accept he deliberately caused Mr Colbert serious injury. The collision took place shortly before 4.30pm on July 11, 2017.

Mr Colbert, originally from Ireland, had been celebrating his 35th birthday. He was standing in Brighton Road talking to the occupants of a blue Mazda.

Prosecutor Miranda Moore KC told the court he had been drinking but was not staggering around. She said the occupants of the Mazda recalled him being 'lost and confused' but 'pleasant, adding that he offered them a cigarette.

Ali was driving his Mercedes behind the Mazda, both of which were in a line of slow-moving traffic waiting to join the Alcester Road. Ms Moore stated drivers were 'agitated' and beeping their horns at the gridlock.

She told the jury a motorcyclist's GoPro camera caught what happened, including Ali supposedly calling Mr Colbert a 'bloodclaat', indicating his 'annoyance' at him. As the Mazda pulled forward Mr Colbert walked towards the Mercedes with his arms out as if to say 'what's your problem', albeit in a non-aggressive manner, the court heard.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Ms Moore stated Ali reversed back slightly. She said: "The defendant then maneuvers his vehicle out of the parking space he's put himself in and knocks Mr Colbert to the ground and slowly drives over him. You can see the Mercedes going up and down as it drives over Mr Colbert's prone body."

The female motorcyclist's GoPro footage was played to the court in which she could be heard to say: "Oh s***, what the f*** are you doing? Oh my god. What the f***? Someone get the police. You f****** ran him over you d*******. I've got it on camera you f****** t***."

The court heard Ali also made contact with the Mazda during the incident and then drove away to Membury Road, Saltley where collision marks were cleaned from the rear of the Mercedes. Ms Moore stated telephone evidence revealed that he returned to the scene in Balsall Heath to find police had taped it off, before he went home.

The jury was told Mr Colbert suffered 'extensive and life-threatening injuries' including skull fractures and brain damage. After spending months in hospital he went to live at supported accommodation in Fountain Road, Edgbaston due to his complex needs.

Ms Moore stated Mr Colbert had developed epilepsy and suffered multiple seizures since the incident. On March 6, 2020 he had been due to have an appointment with a consultant in relation to his brain injury but he was found face down and unresponsive in his flat at 12.15pm that day.

Paramedics attended but he was pronounced deceased. Ms Moore told the court a post-mortem found he had a small amount of cocaine in his system which may have contributed to his death. But she said a pathologist concluded the cause was sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

The jury was told there were three issues for them to consider in the case including Ali's position that he did not intend serious harm as well as the long-term effect of Mr Colbert's injuries. As to the third issue Ms Moore said: "Why did Mr Colbert die? What was his cause of death? Have we demonstrated so you are sure the death was a result of epilepsy which was caused by what Mr Ali did to him?"

Proceeding.