Norwich motorist convicted of murdering cyclist after road confrontation

A jury has found David Morgan guilty of murdering cyclist Richard Smith, whom he struck with his car in Norwich after a road-side confrontation. The case matters because jurors rejected Morgan’s claim that he swerved to avoid the kerb, accepting the charge of murder rather than manslaughter.

The court heard that Morgan had been drinking at a pub earlier that afternoon and was filmed ordering drinks and dancing before driving to collect his children. After Smith clipped his Mercedes’ wing mirror, Morgan admitted wanting to “wind” him up but denied intending to hurt him. Smith suffered severe head injuries, including a 19.4cm skull fracture, and died in hospital three days later. Morgan is due to be sentenced on 30 November.