A MOTORIST deliberately mowed down a group of young men in his BMW after fighting with them in the street, a court heard.

Iftekhar Khondaker, 34, is accused of accelerating into a group of five men crossing the road in Marine Parade, Brighton.

He struck 20-year-old Suel Delgado, who suffered devastating injuries from and died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital a day later.

Azaan Khan and Raja Zakir Khan suffered life-changing injuries.

All three were sent flying into the air as they were hit from behind.

The Argus: Suel Delgado died in the crash in Marine Parade, BrightonSuel Delgado died in the crash in Marine Parade, Brighton

They had been out celebrating the birthday with their friends Amaan Alyas and Umar Khan, who watched from the pavement in “horror and disbelief”.

The impact was so forceful that one of the men’s shoes came off and his trousers fell down.

Hove Crown Court heard how witnesses could hear the engine of Iftekhar’s BMW revving as he accelerated into the three men.

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Blood was left spattered on the car driven by Iftekhar Khondaker, which was later found abandoned in Middle Street, Brighton after the incident at 5.30am on December 1, 2019.

Kate Lumsdon QC, prosecuting, opened the case.

The Argus: Emergency services at the scene of the crash in Marine Parade, BrightonEmergency services at the scene of the crash in Marine Parade, Brighton

She said: "Umar Khan and Amaan Alyas reacted in horror and disbelief.

"Suel Delgado lay on the north pavement, bleeding profusely from the head.

"Zak Khan lay a short distance from him, he was coming in and out of consciousness.

"Azaan Khan was lying in the road, his trousers were down around his hips and his shoes had come off from the impact of the car. He was also bleeding from the head."

The Argus: Belongings were left strewn over the road at the alleged murder scene on Brighton seafrontBelongings were left strewn over the road at the alleged murder scene on Brighton seafront

"It is the Crown’s case that Iftekhar Khondaker deliberately drove the BMW into these men, intending to kill them.

"And that Irfan Khondaker, knowing what his brother had done, called a taxi to take them from where they had left the car in Brighton back home to Mitcham, South London, to help his brother escape the consequences."

The prosecutor said Suel Delgado and his friends had been enjoying a night out in Brighton, ending at Shooshh nightclub.

The Argus: Brighton seafront murder: Police at the scene of alleged hit and runBrighton seafront murder: Police at the scene of alleged hit and run

The Khondaker brothers and pal Umesth Ravinthan were at The Arches nightclub nearby.

A fight broke out between the group of five including Suel Delgado, who was seen chasing and apparently striking Iftekhar Khondaker’s younger brother Irfan Khondaker, 27, from behind.

The chase continued along Grand Junction Road, over the pier roundabout, and into Marine Parade, Ms Lumsdon said.

The Argus: Police forensics experts at the scene in Marine Parade, BrightonPolice forensics experts at the scene in Marine Parade, Brighton

The men were seen whipping each other with their belts.

Moments before the hit and run, the Khondakers apparently pushed Mr Delgado to the ground, kicking and punching him on the floor before running off to a BMW parked nearby.

Mr Ravinthan ran off up a side street away from the seafront.

Iftekhar got into the driver’s seat, and was seen accelerating back down the hill towards Mr Delgado. He struck them at a speed between 35 and 41mph. Police believe he was still accelerating as he hit them, then drove off and parked in The Lanes.

The Argus: Iftekhar Khondaker admits driving the BMW and leaving it parked in The Lanes, BrightonIftekhar Khondaker admits driving the BMW and leaving it parked in The Lanes, Brighton

Irfan denies assisting an offender by booking them an Uber back to their home in Caithness Road, Mitcham.

Iftekhar denies driving the car at the men and said the collision was accidental.

He denies murder and two counts of attempted murder.

The trial continues.