Driver in death case says lights were green

A Czech lorry driver accused of causing the deaths of a Staffordshire couple in a smash has claimed traffic lights he allegedly jumped were on green.

Father-of-three Pavel Dolejs told jurors the lights were on green in his favour as he crashed into a Kia car driven by Tony Malpass on the A5 near Brownhills.

Both 29-year-old Mr Malpass and partner, Joanne Beardsmore, 35, of Burntwood died from injuries.

The prosecution at Stafford Crown Court allege Dolejs was driving dangerously by going through a red light at the junction of the A5 and Ogley Hay Road. They claim he was driving in excess of the 40mph speed limit and had breached mandatory rest regulations.

Dolejs, 44, of the Czech Republic, denies two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and two lesser alternative charges of causing death by careless driving on June 27.

Dolejs admitted that he had not taken a full nine-hour break in Manchester - because the police had told him to move.

He said he thought he was travelling at 40mph as he approached the A5 junction.

"When it changed to green I was about 50 metres away. It was definitely 100 per cent green. I drove by the traffic lights, I saw at the last minute the car. I started to brake immediately, but it was too late."

The trial continues.