A driver used his Mercedes as a weapon with the intention to kill during a horrific attack on students celebrating Freshers' Week in Birmingham, a court has been told.
Catastrophic Injuries in Nightclub Car Attack
Mohammed Suffi, 22, is on trial at Birmingham Crown Court accused of the attempted murder of student Caliston Calistus. The prosecution alleges Suffi deliberately drove his high-powered Mercedes SP69 into a crowd of people outside the Tunnel Club on Livery Street in the early hours of October 3 last year.
Jurors heard that Mr Calistus was dragged under the vehicle, suffering what were described as "catastrophic" injuries. These included:
- Fractured ribs and a fractured pelvis
- A broken collar bone and broken shoulder blades
- A broken neck and collapsed lungs
He required major surgery and spent three weeks in hospital, with the court told he genuinely believed he was going to die. Five other people were injured in the incident.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Attack
Opening the case on Tuesday, December 2, prosecutor Daniel Oscroft said Suffi and three associates had attended a student freshers event at the club. The atmosphere was initially lively and well-controlled before tensions rose.
Security footage allegedly captured Suffi holding a balloon, likely containing nitrous oxide. After aggressive behaviour and a confrontation with security staff, the group was ejected from the Tunnel Club at around 2.20am.
"They continued to act aggressively and did not let it go," Mr Oscroft told the court. The group returned about half an hour later as people were leaving the venue and, despite being outnumbered, instigated a fight.
The prosecutor stated that Suffi then got into his Mercedes and began driving aggressively, reversing and circling before driving at pedestrians and knocking people over. The court was shown footage of the moment Mr Calistus and another man, who had moved into the road during the altercation, disappeared under the front bumper.
"You see the vehicle rise and fall over the two bodies. Their bodies are further down the road. Suffi could have stopped. Instead he drove over them," Mr Oscroft said, adding that the defendant then swerved in an attempt to hit more students before speeding off.
Aftermath and Flight from the UK
The court heard that just hours after the incident, Suffi took the damaged Mercedes to an industrial park in Oldbury before fleeing the United Kingdom. He has since pleaded guilty to dangerous driving but denies the more serious charges of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Mr Oscroft concluded that the defendant's actions showed a clear intent. "The intention was to kill someone. It could have been anyone. Unfortunately for Mr Calistus he was the one in the road at that time," he told the jury.
The trial at Birmingham Crown Court continues.
