Brothers 'murdered father-of-two'

Balbir Matharu died soon after being hit

A man was dragged along the road and then run over after trying to stop two brothers stealing a stereo from his van, a court has heard.

Balbir Matharu, 54, died in Stratford, east London, in 2006, when he stood in front of their car, the jury was told.

Brothers Albert and Tommy Willett drove off, dragging Mr Matharu 40m (131ft) along the road, the Old Bailey heard.

Both men deny murder. Albert Willett has admitted a charge of manslaughter which Tommy Willett denies.

The brothers live at a travellers site in Clays Lane, Stratford.

Crispin Aylett, QC, prosecuting said: "They must have known it was a virtual certainty that the man standing in their path would either be killed or seriously injured.

Each, in some twisted way, wanted credit for running over a man who did nothing more than try to protect his own property Crispin Aylett, QC

"They were so desperate not to get caught for a trivial offence that they were prepared to commit a terrible one."

Mr Aylett said Albert Willett, 26, admitted to being the driver and Tommy Willett, 24, the passenger in the car.

The jury was told that soon after Mr Matharu had been hit the Willets had taken their Ford Mondeo to a scrapyard where it was crushed.

The prosecution also allege the brothers enjoyed the notoriety of what they had done and Tommy Willett had "boasted of his involvement".

Mr Aylett added: "Each had at times claimed to be the driver.

"Each, in some twisted way, wanted credit for running over a man who did nothing more than try to protect his own property."

The brothers were arrested six months later but did not admit their involvement until recently, said Mr Aylett.

The trial continues.