 Lee Hughes admits leaving the scene of the accident |
The judge presiding over the trial of footballer Lee Hughes, who is accused of causing death by dangerous driving, has adjourned the case until Monday. The West Brom striker denies causing the death of father-of-four Douglas Graham, 56, a passenger in a Renault.
On Friday, the jury heard closing speeches from the 28-year-old's defence counsel at Coventry Crown Court.
They were asked to ignore any negative thoughts they may have about the lifestyles of some football stars.
Defence counsel David Fish, QC, told the jury of nine men and three women: "We are a long way from the days of Tom Finney and Stanley Matthews, I suspect.
"Wealthy young men, plenty of money, expensive cars - you only have to pick up a tabloid to read about their antics on and off the field.
"You saw Mr Hughes in the witness box giving evidence. We suggest he did not possess any of the cockiness, swagger or brashness of some of the people you read about."
Earlier, Melbourne Inman, QC, for the prosecution, challenged Hughes' assertion that the wheels of his 5.5-litre supercharged CL Kompressor had "locked" in the moments prior to the impact.
"The reality is that he was driving far too fast and smashed into a car with such force it propelled it across the road and into a lamppost, killing one and seriously injuring two others," Mr Inman said.
'Not proud'
The court heard on Thursday that Hughes fled the scene of the crash in Meriden because he panicked but was "not at all proud" of his actions.
But, when he did turn himself in to police, 36 hours after the crash on Pickford Grange Lane, he refused to give police a full account of where he had been.
Describing the crash to two West Midlands Police officers he said: "I put my brakes on to stop and the brakes locked. Then I lost control of the vehicle, lost control and hit another vehicle.
"I hit my head on the sun visor, I hit my head and there was panic. I just panicked and ran off. I didn't know what to do, I was just so scared."
But he said he was "definitely not" over the legal drink-drive limit as he set off for home with friends, after drinking two Jack Daniels and coke at local pubs.
The former roofer admits leaving the scene of the accident on 23 November last year and failing to report the incident within 24 hours.
Judge Christopher Hodson adjourned the case until Monday.
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The reality is that he was driving far too fast and smashed into a car with such force it propelled it across the road and into a lamppost, killing one and seriously injuring two others 
