A driver who targeted three men in a hit-and-run was told to 'get them' by a passenger in the back seat, a court heard.

Sammi Horner, 35, has denied intentionally encouraging or assisting Darren Blackmore during the incident in North Walsham last year.

A Norwich Crown Court trial heard how her charge related to a hit-and-run in the Vicarage Street Car Park in the early hours of July 23.

Stephen Mather, prosecuting, previously said Blackmore drove his Peugeot 307 at three men, causing one to suffer multiple injuries.

The 43-year-old, of Laburnham Close, Wymondham, has already admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

But Horner, of Market Place, North Walsham, is on trial for encouraging him to drive at the three men.

Summarising the evidence today, Judge Katharine Moore said Blackmore and two other passengers went to pick up Horner in North Walsham on the evening of the incident.

Referring to evidence given by one passenger, who cannot be named for legal reasons, she said: 'The passenger described Sammi as 'crying, screaming, shouting and saying she had been mugged'.

'At this stage Darren Blackmore was still on the phone, he pointed to three men and said is that them. Sammi said 'yes that's them, go and get them'.'

In police interviews, Horner said a group of youngsters, including two girls, had robbed her of her bag in a churchyard earlier that evening.

In his closing statement, prosecutor Mr Mather said Horner was the 'catalyst' for what had happened.

Defending, Ian James was unable to offer any evidence, but argued the defendant could not have predicted Blackmore's reaction.

'Blackmore said he was going to get the £30 back, and that he was going to get out of the car and have a word with them,' he said. 'But it looks as though the red mist has come down. How on earth Miss Horner is meant to have predicted that I don't know.'

In a statement read out in court, Lee Knights described the moment the car hit his friend Matthew Knowles. He said Mr Knowles cartwheeled through the air like a 'rag doll.'

The jury is likely to retire tomorrow morning to reach its verdict.