Driver accused of running over Sussex man’s head with 4x4 as murder trial continues

Jack Field, 24, died during the incident in Diplocks Walk in Hailsham in November 2023.

A jury in Hove were told that Kyle Dumble, 28, drove a black Mitsubishi Shogun at Mr Field after the defendant and his friend Jimmy Stonestreet were involved in a fight.

Mr Dumble denies murdering the retail supervisor during the fracas on a walk home from a Sussex pub.

Amy Packham for the Crown said Kyle Dumble had deliberately driven at Jack Field.

“It was his decision to use the vehicle as a weapon against the young men who were there. Kyle Dumble drove the Mitsubishi at speed towards them,” the prosecutor said.

Ms Packham said: “The prosecution say Kyle Dumble was driving in anger.”

The court heard that Jack Field died at the scene from catastrophic head injuries as Kyle Dumble and Jimmy Stonestreet left in the Mitsubishi.

His friend Jack Johnson, who was part of the group on the birthday night out in Hailsham, said he saw car break lights and heard a scream.

He admitted drinking heavily and decided to go home early.

“We were all together walking home,” he said. “When we got about halfway down Western Road, I said I would walk the rest of the way on my own. I wasn’t aware of anybody else and didn’t hear any arguing or shouting. I heard a car with a lot of revs in it. I heard the car and turned. I saw the car on the pavement. I saw break lights, it wasn’t a normal sized car.”

Asked what he could hear, Mr Johnson said: “A scream. I went home. My mum, stepdad and little sister were at home. I got them to call the police because something bad has happened. I just knew someone was dead.”

Mr Johnson said a friend phoned him later to tell him Jack Field was dead.

As the group walked home on Saturday, November 18, 2023, a witness said she heard male voices say ‘what you looking at’ and ‘come on then big man’ before the fight started.

Kyle Dumble and Jimmy Stonestreet did not know Mr Field or his friends before the scuffle. Ms Packham told the jury in Hove: “It was unexpected, it was unplanned. They didn’t even know the other young men involved, who had been drinking and who had clearly wound up Kyle’s friend, Jimmy Stonestreet.”

Mr Dumble could have made the decision to end the confrontation and drive home, Ms Packham said.

She said: “This is a case about decisions, made in the moment, made in anger or rage. Not rational, considered decisions, but conscious ones none the less.”

She continued: “Kyle Dumble jumped into the car Jimmy had been driving. He began to drive towards the group of males who were either involved in fighting Jimmy or splitting up the fight or were with those who were.”

Ms Packham said: “Kyle was in the driver’s seat. His decision was to continue on the offensive against the males in the street. He drove forwards at them, mounting the kerb once again. He then made one final fateful decision. One that ended with the death of Jack Field.

“He was seen to look out of the open driver’s window before driving forward, killing Jack Field who he’d knocked to the ground.”

Kyle Dumble was driving in anger and in retaliation for the fight with his friend, the prosecutor said.

Kyle Dumble and Jimmy Stonestreet surrendered to police. The driver said he was on his way to buy drugs on the night Mr Field died. He admitted being the driver and denied murder saying the death was an accident. He told officers he was scared and drove at the group to scare them. Mr Dumble said he did not know he had hit a person until the following evening when he saw it on the news. He said the automatic gearbox in the car ‘was dodgy’.

In a statement, Mr Field's family said: “Jack was a loving son, brother and friend. He was the most selfless, respectful gentleman who would do anything for anyone and always putting others before himself. He was everyone’s best friend, role model and hero. He will never be able to be replaced and has left a gaping hole which will never be filled but we will hold him in our hearts forever. Darling Jack, we love you so much, goodbye for now baby boy.”

Kyle Dumble denies murder. His brother Reece Dumble, 30, denies witness intimidation. The trial at Lewes Crown Court in Hove is expected to last three weeks.