Amputee, 50, ‘mowed down and killed by own Mercedes while trying to stop burglar who used car as weapon’

A ONE-legged amputee was mowed down and killed by his own Mercedes while trying to stop a burglar, a court heard.

Marc Allen, 51, strapped on his prosthetic limb and chased down Errol Woodger after the 38-year-old allegedly broke into his flat.

Jurors heard after seeing Woodger jump into his Mercedes GLA, Marc chased him down shouting: “You aren't taking my car”.

But Woodger used the car as a “weapon” and sped towards the dad-of-one, the Old Bailey was told.

Neighbours heard a sickening “crack” as Marc was thrown across the bonnet and then over the roof, causing severe head injuries.

He was rushed to hospital but tragically couldn't be saved and was declared dead around a month after the horror in December 2019.

The court was told Marc's car keys were taken from his home in Erith, South East London, during the robbery.

The vehicle had been supplied by a mobility scheme due to Marc's prosthetic limb.

One local heard shouting coming from outside and saw her neighbour stood on his driveway by the rear of the Mercedes.

Prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC said: “The car engine was revved up several times. The car lights were on, as was the security light at the property.

“The vehicle then reversed quickly out of its parking spot, and onto the road.”

Jurors heard the car moved back by about three houses before Marc came and stood on the road in front of it.

Neighbour Linda Rumsey told police: “The car revved forward at speed towards my neighbour, my neighbour (Marc Allen) didn't move out the way, he stood in the road.

“I think he thought the car was going to stop, but I could see he wasn't going to stop. The car drove forward at speed and hit my neighbour.

“I think it was the middle of the car bonnet which hit his body, he went up onto the bonnet and over the roof.

“He slid down the back of the boot and his head went bang when it hit the floor, I heard his head crack, it sent a shiver through me.

“Whoever was in that car was intent on taking it, nothing was going to stop him.”

The court heard after allegedly hitting Marc, Woodger then sped off – leaving the dad gravely injured in the road.

Mr Orchard added: “The prosecution case is the Mercedes vehicle being stolen was used deliberately as a weapon to facilitate the escape of the thief, this defendant.”

Woodger, of Abbey Wood, denies murder and robbery.

The trial continues.