Drunk driver who was caught on CCTV dancing at the pub before swerving at and killing a cyclist who clipped his wing mirror is found guilty of murder

A drunk driver who was caught on CCTV drinking and dancing in a pub before deliberately swerving into a father-of-three cyclist who had clipped his wing mirror has been found guilty of murder.David Morgan, 40, was behind the wheel of his Mercedes sports car on his way to collect his children from school when he struck Richard Smith following a confrontation in Norwich, Norfolk, on May 8.The cyclist was thrown over his handlebars and suffered catastrophic head injuries, including a 19.4cm fracture to his skull, before dying in hospital three days later.Morgan, who had been drinking Peroni at the Sole and Heel pub just hours before the fatal collision, admitted he had wanted to 'wind' Mr Smith up after the cyclist struck the wing mirror of his Mercedes CLA 180.But he denied deliberately driving into the father-of-three, claiming he had swerved to avoid damaging his expensive car's wheels on the kerb.Following a trial at Norwich Crown Court, a jury of nine women and three men today found Morgan guilty of murder.Morgan, who had denied murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, will be sentenced on November 30.The court heard that Morgan had been drinking at the Sole and Heel pub earlier that afternoon, with CCTV released by the Crown Prosecution Service showing him ordering drinks at around 1.39pm, less than four hours before the fatal incident. David Morgan, 40, was behind the wheel of his Mercedes sports car on his way to collect his children from school when he struck Richard Smith following a confrontation in Norwich, Norfolk, on May 8 Richard Smith. Consultant forensic pathologist Dr Benjamin Swift told the court that Mr Smith had suffered a 'complex of fracturing' to the right side of his skullHe was also captured dancing at the pub before getting behind the wheel of his Mercedes to collect his children from school.At around 5pm, Morgan became involved in an altercation with Mr Smith while driving through traffic in Norwich.The court heard allegations that Morgan had been attempting to overtake and undertake other vehicles when the cyclist shouted at him and clipped his wing mirror.Morgan, who had never met Mr Smith before, told jurors he 'heard a bang' against the side of his car before the cyclist called him a 'dhead' or 'khead'.Asked by his defence barrister, Josh Normanton, how he felt about someone hitting his car, Morgan replied: 'A bit p***ed off.'He told the court he had always owned 'rubbish cars' but had 'worked really hard' to buy his Mercedes.Morgan admitted wanting to 'wind' the cyclist up following their confrontation, but insisted he had never intended to hurt him.He claimed he had moved his vehicle to the right because he feared hitting the kerb and damaging his wheels, rather than because he wanted to strike Mr Smith.However, the Mercedes collided with the cyclist, sending him crashing onto the road and leaving him with devastating injuries.Consultant forensic pathologist Dr Benjamin Swift told the court that Mr Smith had suffered a 'complex of fracturing' to the right side of his skull.One fracture measured 19.4cm and extended from his right eyebrow towards the back of his head.Further examination revealed 'additional fracture lines', including a hinge-type fracture described as a 'significant fracture' extending from 'ear to ear'. Morgan, who had been drinking Peroni at the Sole and Heel pub just hours before the fatal collision, admitted he had wanted to 'wind' Mr Smith up after the cyclist struck the wing mirror of his Mercedes CLA 180 Initially, Morgan claimed he had consumed alcohol only after the collision, but later admitted during cross-examination by his own barrister that he had lied to police Mr Smith had also sustained a 'severe-traumatic brain injury', with bruising and tearing to the surface of his brain.Jurors heard that his brain had swollen, with bleeding across its surface and further bruising to the left side.Despite medical efforts, Mr Smith died on May 11, three days after the collision.Morgan was arrested at around 7pm on the day of the incident and failed a roadside breathalyser test, recording 57 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than one-and-a-half times the legal limit of 35.He also failed a drugs test, although the court was not told in the supplied account which substance was detected.Initially, Morgan claimed he had consumed alcohol only after the collision, but later admitted during cross-examination by his own barrister that he had lied to police.Asked by Mr Normanton why he had not been truthful, Morgan said he was 'scared' because he knew he had been drinking at the Sole and Heel earlier that day.Nevertheless, he insisted he had not felt intoxicated when he got behind the wheel.The court also heard how Morgan branded Mr Smith a 'f***ing idiot' following his arrest, before claiming the following day that he had made the remark because he was 'in shock' at being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.During his police interview, Morgan maintained that he had never deliberately struck the cyclist.He claimed that, following their confrontation, he had been driving along the road when he feared he was about to hit the kerb.Morgan said he did not want to 'kerb my wheels' or 'hit him', adding that he 'moved right to not hit the kerb and carried on'.He insisted he 'didn't hear anything' and only realised something had happened when he looked in his rear-view mirror further down the road and saw Mr Smith 'sat on the verge'.He told officers: 'I just thought he must've hit the kerb and fallen off. That's not my fault. I had no intention to kill him or hit him. I did say "what's your problem" but I had no intention to do that.'Asked directly by police whether he had deliberately driven into the cyclist, Morgan replied: 'No, I did not.'I want to make that adamant 100 per cent - I had no intention of hurting him, I just wanted to put my point across.'At the time of the interview, before Mr Smith's death, Morgan also told officers: 'I hope he has a good recovery. I wouldn't want the worst to happen.'Prosecutor Charles Myatt told jurors that contact between Morgan's Mercedes and Mr Smith's bicycle was 'not in dispute'.Instead, he said, the central question was 'how exactly and why' the collision had occurred.The jury ultimately rejected Morgan's account and convicted him of murder.Following Mr Smith's death, his devastated family paid tribute to a devoted father and Norwich City football supporter who would be remembered for his kindness and his sense of humour.Describing him as a 'much-loved partner, dad, brother, son, friend and colleague', they said: 'We are all struggling to make sense of such a tragic loss to all of our lives.'Rich was a keen NCFC supporter, a blood and organ donor and a proud dad to his three children.'We will remember him with love and kindness and for some truly terrible dance moves.'