Harley Lea murder trial: Man denies being 'angry' during 'pursuit'

Brandon Glover, 24, charged with murdering 17-year-old Harley Lea in the crash on Park Road, Blackbrook in the early hours of October 4, 2022, gave testimony in the witness box as part of his defence at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday (March 21).

The trial had previously heard that in the collision a Toyota Corolla “driven by the defendant” had allegedly “pursued” two motorbikes after Glover’s brother’s bike had been stolen from his mum’s home in Parr.

On Park Road, the Toyota hit a Benelli bike and then a Honda motorbike being ridden by Harley Lea.

Floral tributes at the scene

The prosecution claims Glover had used his car as a “weapon” as he sped into the two motorbikes and caused the death of Harley.

There were “serious injuries” caused to Jordan Carter and Louis Coleman, passengers on the Honda. Meanwhile, the Benelli was ridden by Alexander Owen, and carrying passenger Leeland Lea, both of whom “escaped injury” and “ran away”.

During his testimony yesterday, Glover had said he “wasn’t very hopeful” in recovering his brother's bike as “it is a recurring theme in the St Helens area that bikes would be stolen and joy-ridden”. He added “it didn’t matter if we didn’t, it was insured”.

Police at the scene after the crash

He described the atmosphere in the car as “weirdly relaxed” with his brother on the phone.

He said he “picked up a lot of speed to catch up with the bikes” and believed he was travelling at around 40 mph at the time, rather than the speed of around 70 mph that the Toyota was being driven at.

Glover said he remembered “seeing red bolt cutters” just before the crash and added “I think I interpreted them as waving them at me but I can’t fully recall that”.

The court heard that Glover’s break lights were seen to come on around 180 metres away from the bikes.

Police at the scene after the crash

“I knew I had to slow down because I didn’t want to hit those two bikes,” he said.

“I was familiar with the road and I was conscious there was a bend to the left”.

Glover added: “There was a lot going on, I didn’t expect one of the bikes to slow down in front of me. I don’t know why it did that. I thought they were just going to zoom off.”

He said when he realised he was “getting closer” that he “started to hit the breaks”.

Cross-examination

Cross-examining, prosecuting barrister, Andrew O’Byrne KC acknowledged Glover was “normally a careful and considerate driver” and asked him what was different about this occasion.

He suggested to Glover that he became “angry and irritated and that’s why you were driving directly at these two motorbikes”.

Glover answered: “I wasn’t angry”.

Police at the scene after the crash

When asked why he was driving round following the motorbikes, Glover said it was due to “instinct”.

He added: “If you lose something you want to at least understand how it came to be taken”.

Mr O’Byrne said the defendant had told police he had seen the “bolt cutters” earlier on in the pursuit Fingerpost and asked him was it his “impression they were taunting you?”

Harley, with his mum Caz (Image: .)

He put it to Glover that he had been trying to “gloss over” elements of what had happened.

Glover said: “At that time there was a lot going of things going on, it’s hard to remember exactly how and in what order”.

He added: “It was such a traumatic thing” and that “it’s not going to be a perfect recollection”.

Police at the scene after the crash

Statement from Glover's partner

The court also heard a statement from Glover's partner Ellie, who has had a child with the defendant. She described him as a “genuine, kind-hearted, selfless and loving person you could meet."

It said Glover “doesn't have a bad bone in his body, he has a heart of gold and he is always willing to help anyone out."

It added: “I’m fortunate to have him in my life, there’s not enough words to describe the kind of person he is”.

The trial continues at Liverpool Crown Court

Trial continues

Glover, of Pasture Close, Clock Face, denies charges of murdering Harley Lea, of manslaughter, of causing GBH with intent to Jordan Carter and to Louis Coleman, two counts of causing GBH without intent, and attempted GBH with intent to Alexander Owen and Leeland Lea.

Judge Nicholas Barker said on Tuesday afternoon that all evidence had now been presented to jurors in the trial.

He added that directions would be given to the jury today, Wednesday, before the prosecution and defence make their closing statements.

The jury are expected to be sent out to deliberate around tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

The trial continues.