The accused killer of ‘parking rage’ victim Mohamm
The accused killer of ‘parking rage’ victim Mohammed Chaudhry claimed today (Weds) he acted in self-defence after he was attacked with a ten foot pole.
Company boss Mr Chaudhry, 51, died from a fractured skull following a row over his parking space with Raymond Phillips, 30.
The prosecution claim Phillips threw a fatal punch which resulted in the Mr Chaudhry’s death two days later.
Phillips told the Old Bailey jury he could not remember whether he threw a punch or pushed Mr Chaudhry.
But he insisted: ‘I had no intention to hurt him.
I was annoyed but I had no intention to fight him.
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He said when he realised Mr Chaudhry was injured he tried to help.
‘I went straight forward to hold his hand and see if he was okay.
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Phillips recalled how the incident started when he parked his car in a space reserved for the victim’s computer business in Windmill Lane, Greenford, Middlesex.
He returned to find Mr Chaudhry’s brother-in-law Tariq Malik had blocked in his car.
Phillips sounded his horn and Mr Chaudhry came to investigate, but was adamant the car was staying where it was.
‘His attitude was he was not going to move the car,’ Mr Phillips said.
The pair began swearing at each other, before Mr Chaudhry grabbed a dado rail and started swinging it at him, said Phillips.
Mr Malik tried to take the weapon from his relative, but Mr Chaudhry then went back inside and grabbed a pole which he began using to jab at his chest.
The dreadlocked defendant said he picked up an old exercise bike and used it as shield to protect himself.
The victim was swinging the pole and swearing at him in both Punjabi and English.
Phillips said he was chased by Chaudhry even as Mr Malik was trying to seize the pole from his brother-in-law.
He told the Old Bailey jury he searched for something to protect himself with.
‘At first I went to pick up a branch but that was flimsy but at the doorway I saw a metal bar to defend myself with.
‘I had not form of intention to hurt anybody with the bar.
‘I remember telling Tariq I wasn’t going to hurt Mr Chaudhry.
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As he saw Tariq struggling with the victim he decided to help disarm him.
‘I said to Chaudhry: ”What the hell is wrong with you,” Phillips continued.
‘I was annoyed but I wasn’t in a mood looking to have a fight, but I was annoyed.
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‘At that point I think Chaudhry tried swinging a punch at me or something to that effect.
I know Chaudhry’s hands came up to my face.
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He said he noticed the boss grabbing the pole again.
‘At that point, its like a split second, I can’t remember if I struck him or pushed him but I remember trying to defend myself from the beam.
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Phillips immediately realised the man was hurt and said he shouted for someone to call for help.
A woman who worked in a nearby shop told him the whole incident was recorded on CCTV camera located in a nearby shop.
When police arrived he told them: ‘Everything that has taken place is on video so remember to take the video.
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Phillips of (28) Gardner Court, Brent Crescent, Stonebridge Park, northwest London, denies manslaughter following the incident on June 13 last year.
The trial continues
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