Norwich road-rage cyclist murder accused found guilty

A drink driver has been found guilty of murdering a cyclist who had clipped the wing mirror of his Mercedes.

David Morgan, 40, swerved and knocked dad-of-three Richard Smith off his bike in Chartwell Road, Norwich, on 8 May.

He had drunk five or six pints at a pub earlier that day, then picked up his children from school, before colliding with 50-year-old Smith.

Morgan, of George Winter Court, Norwich, had denied the offence during a trial at Norwich Crown Court, claiming he just wanted to annoy Smith, but “misjudged” his timing when he swerved towards him.

Morgan began drinking at about 12:30 BST at the Sole and Heel pub in Rackheath, near Norwich, and CCTV footage showed him dancing at the bar.

He picked his children up from primary school after 15:00 and then returned to the pub.

Morgan then took his children to another pub, the Boundary, on the other side of the city.

But while in stationary traffic at a red light, he got into an altercation with Smith, after the cyclist came into contact with his car.

Morgan claimed Smith called him a rude word and cycled off.

He later caught up with Smith and swerved into the cyclist, who was returning home from work.

The victim was taken to hospital with catastrophic head injuries and died three days later.