Accused: Shaan Mir is on trial and denies one count of murder and one count of attempted murder after a fatal clash in an M&S car park
Today, the jury heard that a fight between ex-lovers of a woman ended in her murder.
Matthew Tester, father-of-two, was with Steven Butler when he confronted his ex-girlfriend. He was repeatedly hit by cars and then killed as the situation escalated.
Lee Waring was another victim and sustained serious injuries after being knocked to the ground by Ize Schoeman’s ex-boyfriends.
The story of murder in the M&S car park was told to a jury at Guildford Crown Court where 27-year-old Shaan Mir denied charges of murder and attempted murder.
Mir, who was then dating Ms Schoeman, told the court that he and his wife broke up. The defendant claimed Steven Butler, one of Mir’s previous boyfriends had caused their breakup.
Mir made arrangements to meet with Mr Butler at the Walton-on-Thames superstore parking lot in Surrey to discuss his theory. But Mr Butler decided that Lee Waring and Matthew Tester would be present to help in any emergency.
According to the jury, Mir was beaten and hurled punches at him. He then drove straight into Mr Waring and father-of-2 Mr Tester. Mr Waring died. Friends called him ‘Tik.
Mir reversed the car back over the men and shouted out ‘you’re not so f***king hard now are you’.
Jurors were informed that he took the vehicle with him and then shaved his hair to alter his appearance.
Michael Ivers, Prosecutor: “On April 22, this year Mir intentionally drove into Mr Tester & Mr Waring while they were walking from their car. Their backs were turned to him.
“He drove over them repeatedly and reversed. Mr. Waring was hurt and Mr. Tester was in his final moments of life when he drove off.
Then, Mir changed his appearance. He changed his clothes, cut his hair, and got rid of his car. He was later questioned.
He said that the first thing he did to police was tell them his car was missing. He said it repeatedly. Police asked him questions and he replied “no comment”.
Jurors were told that father Matthew Tester, (pictured) was going to the meeting to support Steven Butler. However, he died of injuries following being run over repeatedly by Shaan mir
“He accepted that he was the driver. When he saw the evidence, he couldn’t help but accept it.
“He said he was acting in self defense when he drove into the two men. If you’re being attacked you have reasonable force to defend yourself.
“To run into two people who are walking away from your vehicle was obviously not self-defense,” said Mr Ivers.
According to the prosecutor, Mir’s ex-girlfriend Ms Schoeman wanted to end the relationship between November 2020 and April 2019.
“Ms Schoeman was acquainted with Steven Butler over many years. Prior to the couple’s separation, she said that they had briefly been in a relationship. [her and Mir’s] relationship.
Whatever the reason for their breakup, she knew it had caused their relationship to fall apart and that they needed to get a fresh start. Mir removed certain belongings from Mir’s home on April 20.
The confrontation took place in the car park of an M&S in Walton-on-Thames. Pictured: Police officers guard the scene of the car park whether the incident took place in April this year
Mir soon began to send messages to Mr Butler and Mrs Butler’s girlfriend. Soon, the men agreed to meet in Marks and Spencer parking lot.
Jurors were told that Mr Tester, the murder victim, and Mr Waring were friends of Mr Butler. The two were working nearby on scaffolding at the time.
Mister Ivers said, “There was an altercation with Mir and Mr Butler. Mr Butler punched him. According to Mir’s account, Mir fell on the floor and Mr Butler ran away. Mir was thrown to the floor by Mr Waring and Mr Tester. [Mr Butler]It’s not your fault, you are the only one who can do it.
Mr Ivers said, “They walked away and that’s when they drove on.”
Judge Jonathan Black learned that Joshua Irvin who was nearby working on the scaffolding was alerted by the revving engine.
Mister Ivers said, “He heard an impact.” Both of them were hurt. People were screaming. He saw Mir reverse over Mr Waring.
In April, a police officer was standing beside the cordon on the Walton-on-Thames scene, Surrey.
“Mr Butler was grabbing the sides of the car with his fingers and trying to get the bodies free. He was able to drag them behind some bollards.
‘Mir then yelled from the car: “See, you’re not so f**king hard now are you”.
“He then sent Butler a text message saying, “glad everything could be handled in a civil way.”
According to the court, Mr Waring was taken immediately to hospital for multiple surgeries. He also had a wound on his chest and chin.
Tester died from a head injury after being treated on the spot. A post-mortem examination confirms this.
A police body-camera video of Mir claiming his car had been stolen was presented to the jury. Mir said that he was confused by this arrest.
Mir has denied the attempted murder of murder, and Mir’s trial at Guildford Crown Court continues
To the officers, he stated: ‘My car was taken and I’m being arrested for murder. The officers are all out of control.
He refused to answer any questions after being interviewed by officers.
The attack occurred when neighbours discovered that Mr Tester was an enthusiastic scooter rider and a father to Maddy (and Pippa) at the time.
Mir had a message for Mr Butler, which she sent to him on Instagram.
“Something has been bothering my for a while. This is a simple disrespect. You should think that I would tell the girl.
Mir, then, sent Georgina Bert a screenshot from conversations between Ize and himself – which he saw as cheating – to Mr Butler’s former partner. After this incident, Butler replied: “Didn’t you wish to speak to me in person?” I’m sorry, you’ve just ruin my life.
According to Mr Butler, the judge: “Some messages may come off differently. I was interested in talking to him about this.
“I deleted this message because it was too scary and confusing. I also thought that I would be in serious trouble for punching him.”
“Them two (sic), were father figures to my heart. They were like father figures to me. Mir came along with Mir to look after my back. They also came with them. “I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into.”
Mir, from Weybridge (Surrey), denies murdering and attempted murder. The trial will continue.