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A driver accused of attempted murder for deliberately mowing down a cyclist heard in court today that his alleged victim may die.
David Morgan, 40, was arrested on Friday after his Mercedes C180 allegedly collided with the bike ridden by Daniel Smith, who is in his 50s.
Mr Smith suffered serious head injuries in the incident which is said to have happened during the evening rush hour at around 5pm in Norwich, Norfolk.
He remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Norfolk Police said they were called to reports that a ‘white Mercedes had deliberately hit a cyclist’.
Making his first appearance in Norwich Magistrates' Court today, Morgan heard there was a bleak prognosis for Mr Smith.
The prosecution said there was only a ‘very remote’ chance that he would survive and that Morgan could face a more serious charge as a result.
The defendant, who is understood to be a forklift truck driver, is said to have failed to have stopped at the scene of the accident and was arrested shortly before 7pm just over half a mile away following police enquiries.
David Morgan, 40, pictured, was arrested on Friday after his Mercedes C180 allegedly collided with the bike ridden by Daniel Smith, who is in his 50s
He was arrested on suspicion of murder, dangerous driving, drink driving and drug driving and taken to the Police Investigation Centre at Wymondham, near Norwich.
Officers charged him on Sunday with attempted murder and drink-driving and he was held overnight before his court appearance.
Police stated he lived in Bedford when he was charged but he gave an address in Norwich today.
Prosecutor Josephine Jones told the hearing that the attempted murder case was so serious that it could only be heard in the Crown Court.
She added: ‘There is another offence of driving with excess alcohol. The Crown say that is related. There is no bail application.
‘The Crown say this was a deliberate targeting of a cyclist. He has received significant head injuries and the latest information I have is that the charge is likely to be increased to something more serious.
‘The chances of him surviving are very remote indeed… It is only a matter of time.’
District Judge Jacqui Appleton remanded Morgan in custody to appear at Norwich Crown Court on June 8.
Morgan heard in court that there was only a 'remote chance' that his alleged victim would survive, meaning he could face a more serious charge
A Mercedes C180 similar to the one Morgan was driving when he is said to have 'deliberately' hit cyclist Mr Smith on Friday
She told him: ‘The charge you face of attempted murder is so serious that it can only be dealt with in the crown court. Therefore, I must transfer your case to the Crown Court.
‘The second charge you face of drink-driving is directly related to the first charge and therefore that, too, must be sent to the Crown Court.’
District Judge Appleton told him that he would remain custody until the next hearing.
She added that he faced ‘a real prospect of immediate custody’ if convicted and urged him to stay in contact with his solicitor.
Morgan spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth as he stood in the glass-fronted dock during the brief hearing.
But immediately before being led down to the cells, he shouted a greeting to his grey-haired father who was weeping in the public gallery.
The scene of the collision was closed while emergency services responded and police began their investigation.
The Mercedes which was alleged to have been involved was also recovered and seized by officers.
Police are appealing for help from anyone with dashcam footage or ‘information on the manner of driving of the white Mercedes before the collision’.
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