Lorry driver 'ran over' ex-lover

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A lorry driver murdered his former lover by deliberately running her over, a jury has been told.

Melvin Bissell, 45, knocked over mother-of-three Theresa Bennett, 43, before driving his tractor unit over her body, Hull Crown Court was told.

The pair began a relationship in 2000 meeting up when married Mr Bissell was in Hull on business, the court heard.

The prosecution said that the motive may never been known. Mr Bissell, from Llandyrnog, Denbighshire denies murder.

Prosecuting, David Hatton QC said the couple's relationship was "difficult fully to fathom" with some saying that self-employed Mr Bissell dominated Miss Bennett.

It was deliberate and intended to cause either her death or at least really serious injury - it was in short, an act of murder, David Hatton QC, prosecuting

Mr Hatton said Mr Bissell had a "jealous and possessive attitude" towards his lover and once sent her a text saying he would "make her unrecognisable" if she went with someone else.

Mr Hatton told the jury: "Mr Bissell deliberately chose to drive into Miss Bennett in circumstances that were entirely avoidable but he chose to avoid them.

"Whether his motives was to rid himself of her attentions or whether he had a raging and consuming jealousy or some other motive might never be known,."

He said the fatal incident took place early on 6 May, 2006 after both Mr Bissell and Miss Bennett had been out for the evening in Hull.

Miss Bennett had visited a number of pubs in the city with friends, Mr Hatton explained.

Theresa Bennett and Mr Bissell began a relationship in 2000

In one, she met Mr Bissell, and the friends eventually left the couple on their own.

Mr Hatton said the defendant questioned Miss Bennett after hearing that she had been seeing a man called Andy, although he later told police that he and Miss Bennett had split up.

Mr Bissell told police that he returned to his tractor. He exchanged texts with Miss Bennett and she followed him, suggesting they go to her home, said Mr Hatton.

But Mr Bissell told her to go home alone.

999 call

CCTV cameras caught a figure believed to be Miss Bennett walking cross a gateway near the lorry stop with the Mr Bissell's truck following slowly moments later, said Mr Hatton.

She was hit by the truck about 20 metres past the gate. Despite it travelling at less than 10mph, the tractor unit drove right over her, without stopping.

The jury was told there was no attempt at braking and Miss Bennett's body was missed by the wheels.

Mr Hatton said Mr Bissell did not stop to help, later telling police he had not realised he had run her over.

"It was deliberate and intended to cause either her death or at least really serious injury. It was in short, an act of murder," he said.

The defendant later made an anonymous 999 call from a phone box despite having a mobile phone in his cab, the prosecutor added.

The trial will continue on Thursday.