A BMW driver accused of mowing down and killing Kingston University student Hina Shamim broke down in tears as he claimed he was trying to escape a fellow speeding driver before the crash.

Farid Reza, 32 claimed fellow BMW driver William Spicer, 28, was furious after he had "cut him up" moments before the crash in Penrhyn Road, leading him to speed away, a trial at the Old Bailey heard today.

A visibly shaken Mr Reza said he was in "full control" of his car and "wasn't driving dangerously", despite travelling at more than twice the speed limit.

Five children were also travelling in Mr Reza's car, one fractured their skull, jaw and collar bone in the smash.

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Mr Spicer and Mr Reza are accused of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash that killed Miss Shamim (pictured above), 21, on March 31, 2015.

Mr Reza said: "I went in front of (Mr Spicer), I didn't even notice. I must have cut him by mistake and overtaken him.

I noticed the the car behind me was very, very, very close. I thought he was going to hit me. The only option I thought at the time, which I regret now, was to speed up.

"I put my foot down to try to escape."

Mr Reza claimed it was the memory of his dad being beaten following a road-rage-induced fight when he was roughly 11 years old that led him to grow fearful of Mr Spicer.

He added: “Loads of stuff was going through my head and that was one of them. I didn't know this guy.

"My thought was 'you've definitely upset him'. I was scared, I panicked, maybe I didn't think properly. I wanted to quickly get home."

Mr Reza was questioned on why he didn't brake when he saw Miss Shamim and whether he believed he would have avoided hitting her had he been driving the speed limit.

He said: "She was too close, the reaction that came into my head was to swerve to miss her. She froze.

"I don't think I can ever live with myself. I've taken the wrong decision at the wrong time."

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Tributes left near Penrhyn Road following the crash

Last week, prosecuting lawyer Deanna Heer told the court that Mr Reza and Mr Spicer were "showing off" to each other and "racing" before the fatal crash.

She questioned Mr Reza on why he was speeding on a road he knew to be usually busy with traffic and crossing students.

Mr Reza defended himself from accusations he was known as a racer.

He added: "I've had it said to me - if they had seen me speeding and being stupid why have they never mentioned it?

"It wasn't dangerous in my opinion because I had full control of my car. I'm a normal driver and I've driven buses and I've a bit more experience than a normal person has.

"(On) these roads I would never do such a thing (as race)"

The trial continues.