A POLICE forensic vehicle expert has said several items were wrong with a VW Golf which was flipped by a mechanic, injuring his client.

Richard Masters, 57, is accused of taking his client out for a ‘demonstration ride’ when he was speeding down the A4130 Calvin Thomas Way, Wallingford, on October 26, 2021, accelerating and then ‘braking heavily’ to show off the efficiency of the newly installed brake system.

The wheels had allegedly locked and the car spun into a ditch due to an issue with the new system.

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The client, who was in the front passenger seat, was allegedly left with a broken back for which he received surgery.

Masters, of Wantage Road, Wallingford, has denied one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, claiming he did not know there was an issue with the braking system and it was not his responsibility.

He is now on trial at Oxford Crown Court

On Monday (July 29) during the trial, it was heard the defence case is the cause of the crash was the brake bias system which was installed incorrectly.

They say Masters was not responsible for installing this, it was his mechanics, meaning the crash was not his fault.

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However, it is the prosecution’s case that the crash would have occurred due to other issues with the car which were allegedly Masters’ responsibility such as the tyres and wheel bolts.

During the trial on Tuesday (July 30), the prosecution called a police forensic vehicle examiner who had examined the car after the collision.

Examiner Antony Hurdle said it ‘was obvious’ that there had been ‘significant modifications’ to ‘major systems’ in the car.

He said the original engine, which would have been a 1.6 or 1.8 litre fuel engine, had been replaced with a 2-litre turbo engine, changing the horsepower from 110 to 300.

However, he said this is ‘not necessarily’ an issue.

He also said that a wheel bolt was missing from each wheel and that the tyres were not the correct type for the wheel, falling outside of the tolerances of what is allowed for modifications.

Mr Hurdle said@ “It compromises the ability of the tyre to fulfil its function.” He said people modify tyres this way for a ‘Euro look/style’.

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The jury heard that the brake components ‘were missing’ and had been moved around the car from where they had originally been manufactured.

Earlier in the trial, it was noted the speedometer was not set up properly and Masters did not know what speed he was driving at.

The trial continues.