A SPEEDING motorist has told a jury he was not involved in a road "duel" with a friend who died in a catastrophic crash on the A596 Wigton bypass.

Steven Parker, 23, died on February 3, 2018, after he lost control of his high-powered BMW car as it spun out of control and left the road, demolishing two trees. Moments before, Mr Parker was travelling closely behind a modified Vauxhall Vectra driven by his friend Liam Dixon.

Dixon, 27, of Throstle Avenue, Wigton, is on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. He has admitted dangerous driving by excessive speed, but denies causing Mr Parker’s death by dangerous driving.

Another motorist and eyewitness has described seeing two cars “absolutely flying”, “half a car length” apart before the crash.

Two experts agreed the vehicles were travelling “at least 100mph” - twice the legal 50mph limit for that stretch of road - although a police collision investigator concluded that the speed was “most likely around 118mph as probably a minimum”.

The experts also agree there wouldn’t have been enough space for Mr Parker - who was not wearing his seatbelt - to react to an emergency on the damp road because of how close his BMW was to the Corsa.

Jurors have heard that the two men were friends and had a shared interest in fast and powerful cars.

In a police interview, Dixon said Mr Parker was “bad for racing”, “always a fast driver” and described him overtaking his Corsa “aggressively” immediately before the crash.

Dixon told jurors today he had driven around Wigton separately from Mr Parker on February 3. Mr Parker overtook him on the town bypass and later pulled behind him as they travelled west.

Dixon admitted twice putting his foot down. “There was no reason,” he explained, “but that’s what I go to the bypass to do.”

His barrister Kim Whittlestone,asked: “Were you seeking to encourage Mr Parker to catch up with you?”

“No. Definitely not,” replied Dixon.

“It will be suggested by the prosecution that there has been some kind of burnout or duel,” said Miss Whittlestone. “Were you involved in anything like that?” Dixon responded: “No. I didn’t see any of this like that.”

The trial continues.