Police have released CCTV footage capturing the moment a teenager was reportedly pushed by a truck before her tragic death. Mohammed Azim, a 41-year-old recovery truck driver, is facing accusations of murdering his 19-year-old girlfriend, Lily Whitehouse, in Oldbury on November 5 last year. During his appearance in Wolverhampton Crown Court, Azim tearfully denied any intention to harm Whitehouse.
Prosecutors claim that Whitehouse suffered fatal chest injuries after Azim allegedly used his truck to pin her against a lamppost during an argument, treating the vehicle as a weapon. The footage presented in court suggests that Azim may have nudged or pushed Whitehouse with the truck.
Azim, refuting the murder charge, insists that he accidentally struck Whitehouse after dropping her off near her residence. He emotionally testified that there was no argument between them on the night of the incident, which coincided with his 41st birthday.
According to Azim, he picked Whitehouse up after she alighted from a bus coming from Russells Hall Hospital, where she visited her premature baby in the neonatal intensive care unit. He was driving her back to her home on Amber Drive, Oldbury.
Azim recounted that Whitehouse requested to spend more time with him before going home, leading to a conversation in Old Park Lane. He denied any argument, emphasizing Whitehouse’s desire to accompany him further.
As per Azim’s testimony, Whitehouse attempted to prevent him from leaving by standing in front of the van. Despite his efforts to drive around her, Azim felt a disturbance at the back of the vehicle, leading to him stopping and discovering Whitehouse on the road.
Expressing disbelief and panic, Azim rushed Whitehouse to the hospital, later confessing to falsely claiming to emergency services that another vehicle had hit her. He clarified that his actions were out of shock and confusion, reiterating that he never intended to harm Whitehouse.
During his testimony, Azim portrayed Whitehouse as reliant on him for support due to her limited social circle. He described her messages seeking attention as based on her loneliness and a shared background of difficult childhood experiences.
Azim denied ever physically harming Whitehouse, attributing her behavior to seeking his attention and expressing a desire to help and support her. The trial is ongoing.