Daniel Ambler murder trial: Court hears how Sunderland man was crushed between car and garage building
Daniel is originally from Seaham, but was living in Sunderland at the time of the attack
The trial at Teesside Crown Court into the alleged murder of Daniel Ambler at a petrol service station in Seaham has begun.
Daniel Ambler, who was 23, suffered serious injuries at the Esso Asda Express service station, in Stockton Road, Seaham, at around 4.50pm on January 15 and died at the scene.
Durham Constabulary officers responded to reports of a collision between a car and pedestrian and Daniel was sadly pronounced dead.
Barry Anderson Snr, 52, of Canon Cockin Street, Hendon, Sunderland, Barry Logan Anderson, 19, of Nursery View, Shotton Bank, and Ashton Anderson, 20, of Ryton Street, Seaham, were all named by Durham Constabulary at the time after they were charged with murder and violent disorder.
Two teenagers who could not be identified at the time can now be named after turning 18 as the trial judge has lifted reporting restrictions.
They are Tyler Leadbetter, of Elgin Avenue, Seaham, and Ajay Henry, of Melrose Crescent, Seaham, who are both now 18. They are both also charged with murder and violent disorder.
The case was opened on Tuesday afternoon at Teesside Crown Court by the prosecution’s barrister, Mr Donkin, who claimed: “On January 15, Daniel Ambler was standing at a bus stop in Seaham. He was attacked by the defendants and during that attack he suffered catastrophic injuries which killed him.
“After the initial attack, Daniel ran away and go to the forecourt of a nearby garage. He was followed by a Nissan car which was driven at him, hitting him and then colliding with the building. Daniel Ambler was trapped between the vehicle and the building and was crushed and killed instantly.”
Mr Donkin told the jury the initial attack was carried out on foot by Barry Anderson snr and his son Barry Logan Anderson jnr with the Nissan car driven by his other son, Ashton Anderson.
The prosecution said Tyler Leadbetter and Ajay Henry, who were friends of Ashton, were passengers in the car.
Referring to CCTV footage shown to the jury, Mr Donkin claimed the Nissan car “was deliberately driven at Daniel without deviation”.
The jury were also shown previous footage of an altercation taking place between the defendants and associates of Daniel outside of the Mallard pub,
At this point, Daniel was seen running in the direction of the garage.
Mr Donkin alleged: “The car that killed him is a consequence of how the attack unfolded. Those who followed on foot are just as much part of the attack.
“The prosecution argues it doesn’t matter who inflicted the final blow if the attack is carried out jointly. All five gathered together to attack Daniel. The group arrived as a team.”
The jury were also shown maps and photographs of the area in which the attack took place.
Barry Anderson Snr, Barry Logan Anderson jnr, Tyler Leadbetter, and Ajay Henry all deny the charges of murder and violent disorder.
Ashton Anderson has denied the charge of murder but pleaded guilty to the charge of violent disorder.
The prosecution claim the motive for the attack was due to an “ongoing feud between two families”.
The court heard Daniel is originally from Seaham but was living in Sunderland at the time of the attack.
The trial will continue tomorrow.