Fashion Entrepreneur Accused of Murdering Pedestrian While Fleeing Gunman
Jury hears how defendant allegedly mowed down Ruben Nunes at high speed outside a courthouse.
A fashion entrepreneur, Shakaine Dwyer, 29, is on trial for murder after allegedly running down a pedestrian with his £60,000 Mercedes outside Willesden Magistrates' Court. The prosecution claims Dwyer struck Ruben Nunes, 34, while fleeing a man he believed was threatening him with a firearm.
The incident occurred on December 3 last year when Dwyer was driving to court for a motoring offense hearing. According to prosecutor Mukul Chawla, KC, Dwyer's Mercedes mounted the pavement at 54 mph and hit Nunes, who was returning to his car. Nunes sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chawla told the jury that moments before the collision, Dwyer was confronted by Gregory Ejiofor, 31, who allegedly asked Dwyer if he was a member of a rival gang. Witnesses reported seeing Ejiofor reach into his waistband, and one witness observed him handling a dark, metallic object, which the prosecution alleges was a firearm. Dwyer's defense claims Ejiofor was "G-checking," or gangster checking, him.
Following the alleged confrontation, Dwyer drove away at high speed, attempting to evade Ejiofor. CCTV footage showed Dwyer's Mercedes reaching a dead end, with Dwyer attempting a maneuver that led him to collide with a fence. He then drove at high speed along the cul-de-sac, hitting Nunes as he mounted the pavement.
Telematics data from Dwyer's car indicated a slight braking before the collision, followed by acceleration as he approached the pedestrian. The impact threw Nunes into the air, and he was struck again by the Mercedes before it crashed into a parked car. Dwyer then reportedly attempted to flee the country, with a one-way flight to Dubai booked for that evening, though he did not take the flight and later surrendered to police.
Dwyer, co-founder of the fashion brand Jugg Clothing, denies murder and the alternative charge of causing death by dangerous driving. In a prepared statement, Dwyer claimed he feared being robbed or harmed, panicked, and drove off. He stated he did not know Ejiofor and knew Nunes by the nickname 'Switch.' He asserted the collision was not deliberate and that he had no intention to harm anyone.
Ejiofor denies possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Nunes's family described him in a tribute as a 'family man' and a devoted partner, son, brother, uncle, and father. They remembered him for his positive impact on those around him, his love for football, and his cherished status as a Liverpool fan.