A photography student was killed when a drink-d

A photography student was killed when a drink-driver
ploughed into the back of his bicycle, the Old Bailey heard.

Anthony Peters, 29, was seen ‘staggering’ from the car and
then trying to run away but was restrained by a pair of shocked
by-standers, it was alleged.

An hour later, London Transport engineer Peters was found to have
four times the legal amount of alcohol in his blood, the jury was
told.

Cyclist Paul Witcher, 26, of Lanark House, Mawbey Estate,
Old Kent Road, SE1, suffered horrific head injuries in the
crash and died in hospital the next day.

Peters, of Odessa Street, Rotherhithe, denies causing his
death by reckless driving.

Mrs Zesa Christophides, prosecuting, said Mr Witcher was hit while
cycling along Redriff Road, Rotherhithe, to his part-time bar job when
he was struck in the early evening of October 4 last year.

Three medical students were standing at a bus stop watching him
cycle past parallel to the kerb.

They saw Peters’ vehicle approach fast over the bridge at an
estimated 50mph.

He ‘drifted’ and hit the kerb before hitting Mr Witcher, said
counsel.

The cyclist was thrown onto Peters’ Vauxhall, shattering the
windscreen before falling off 20 yards down the road as the car
swerved to the right into a garden wall, counsel added.

‘He got out and was seen to be staggering.

‘He was seen to run away but was brought back promptly by one of
the students and a man who lived nearby.

‘
Witnesses said he smelt strongly of drink.

He told detectives he had drunk ‘two pints of cider’ but when he
was tested an hour later, a blood sample was found to contain more
than four times the limit of alcohol, the jury heard.

Accident investigators found no faults on either the car or the
bike.

In police interview, Peters claimed the cyclist had suddenly pulled
out in front of him.

The trial continues.

ENDS