Uber driver deliberately ran over a customer after he was sick in the back seat of his car, murder trial hears

An Uber driver deliberately ran over a customer who had just been sick in the back seat of his car, a murder trial heard today.Hayadulla Turkmani, 52, ran over Michael Ashton, 28, after dropping him off outside his home last year in Basildon, Essex, just before midnight, jurors were told.The council worker and his partner had gone inside to get cleaning wipes, which they then used to clean up the 'small amount' of sick, Basildon Crown Court heard.But Turkmani, who was being aided in the dock by an Afghan Dari interpreter, continued yelling abuse and ran Mr Ashton over out of 'sheer anger and rage'. Despite the victim's desperate pleas for him to stop, the force snapped Mr Ashton's leg and sent him toppling backwards, headfirst into the pavement.As Mr Ashton fell onto the pavement, the back of his skull fractured and his brain was propelled forwards, fracturing the front of his skull too, causing a fatal brain injury, jurors heard.Turkmani, of Hornchurch, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, manslaughter and causing death by dangerous driving, then attempted to drive off, dragging Mr Ashton's body underneath his car, the prosecution alleged.A neighbour had witnessed the horrific event and Mr Ashton was rushed to hospital in Whitechapel, London after police were called to the scene. The victim died days later on October 4 with a severe brain injury. Hayadulla Turkmani, 52, has been charged with murdering Michael Ashton (pictured), 28, after dropping him off outside his home last year in Basildon, EssexProsecutor Andrew Jackson said: 'The prosecution case is that he had done that in sheer anger and rage, choosing to use his car as a weapon and intentionally aiming it at Mr Ashton, driving it forwards and into him.'Mr Ashton made 'repeated and desperate shouts for him to stop', Mr Jackson alleged, but Turkmani 'chooses to continue driving forward'.CCTV audio of Mr Ashton's final words were played which left the jury in tears, where he said 'Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!'When police arrived at the scene, Turkmani said the victim ran in front of his car, but he later answered 'no comment; in interview, the jury was told.The prosecution argued Turkmani intended the consequences to his victim.The Uber driver has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, manslaughter and causing death by dangerous driving.Mr Jackson said the couple had spent 'an enjoyable evening out' in Havering, having dinner with Mr Ashton's sister before visiting a few bars.At around 11pm, the couple requested an Uber from Frankie's Wine Bar in Hornchurch, to take them home to Basildon.It was 'an uneventful journey', said Mr Jackson, until Mr Ashton became nauseous as they pulled off towards Langdon Hills.The prosecutor said: 'He tried to open the rear window of the taxi but nausea overcame him.'Understandably, Mr Ashton was embarrassed. He immediately apologised to the defendant.'A passenger being ill in the back of a taxi is undoubtedly annoying for the driver of the taxi but the defendant, you will hear, was a good deal more than annoyed at the inconvenience.'You will hear that at that point, he became immediately angry and he began shouting at Mr Ashton for the remainder of that journey.'Mr Jackson added: 'As Mr Ashton lay fatally injured beneath the defendant's Uber, the defendant got out of the taxi.'He looked beneath the car. He must have seen Mr Ashton's body. He then got back into his car. He then accelerated forwards, needless to say, causing the body of Mr Ashton to be dragged underneath.'A tribute issued by police said: 'He was dearly loved by his family, his girlfriend, and the endless list of friends he had.'Michael had the most beautiful aura and lit up every room he entered with his handsome looks, his smile, and his warm personality.'He was loved by everyone and had such a kind soul — he didn't have a bad bone in his body.'The trial is expected to last three weeks.