A BMW driver was racing another motorist at more than 79mph on his way home from work in Stratford when he knocked down and killed an elderly man on the A12 in Redbridge, a court heard.

Stephen Richards, 43, and Glenn Donovan, 34, both from Romford, were allegedly going twice the 40mph limit before 78-year-old Mohammed Muqtadir was hit as he crossed the A road outside Redbridge Islamic Centre, early on April 7 last year.

Shortly before, Donovan was seen driving his Volkswagen Scirocco erratically, changing lanes and “tailgating” Richards’ BMW as they travelled along the eastbound carriageway, jurors were told.

When they reached the Redbridge roundabout, Donovan pulled out in front of Richards and swerved just before the BMW crashed into Mr Muqtadir at a crossing, the Old Bailey heard.

Donovan was then allegedly seen to drive off at speed.

Prosecutor Sarah Przybylska told jurors the signal for pedestrians was red at the time, but Mr Muqtadir must have believed he had time to cross safely before the oncoming cars.

She said: “In fact, both vehicles were being driven at high speed, in excess of 79mph, and they reached the crossing before Mr Muqtadir had finished crossing the road.

“The car driven by Donovan crossed first, passing within a short distance of Mr Muqtadir. The car driven by Richards crossed second and struck Mr Muqtadir, who died at the scene.”

When police tracked down Donovan, he told them that he had left work in Stratford at about 5.40am and did not notice anything out of the ordinary as he drove home.

Donovan and Richards were jointly charged with causing the death of Mr Muqtadir by their dangerous driving.

Richards pleaded guilty but Donovan denied the charge, claiming he had nothing to do with the death and was not racing with the BMW driver, jurors were told.

Ms Przybylska said: “The issue for you will be whether the defendant was in a joint dangerous driving venture with Richards.”

The trial continues.