The jury in the trial of a man accused of causing death by dangerous driving was sent home for the weekend after retiring to consider a verdict – and will resume deliberations on Monday.

Steve Spear died in a crash on the A35 Sea Road South in Bridport on November 13, 2017 after his Mitsubishi pick-up truck was in collision with a silver Mercedes convertible driven by Gary Craven.

Craven, aged 32, of Crock Lane, Bridport denies causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury.

Prosecutor Jane Rowley said Craven had been ‘showing off’ his new car and speeding along a 40mph stretch of road moments before the crash.

Craven fled the scene after the crash and was later arrested at home.

Summing up the case for the prosecution Ms Rowley said: “Craven wasn’t interested in assessing the risks to others because he didn’t care about others.”

She argued that he may have been drunk at the time of the crash, having drank three pints of cider and a Jägerbomb before he got behind the wheel.

She claimed that because he fled the scene and was breathalysed four hours after the crash this explained why his reading of 19 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath was below the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

Defending, Neil Hinton, told the jury: “It's a very simple case. You have two questions – are you sure the defendant was driving dangerously and if so, are you sure his dangerous driving caused the death of Mr Spear?"

He said if Craven had not been speeding at between 67mph and 73mph a crash still would have occurred.

He added: "Why did the accident occur. It occurred because for whatever reason Mr Spear drove his black pick-up truck out of a minor road across the path of Mr Craven's vehicle which was proceeding in the correct carriageway with the right of way."

The jury retired to consider its verdict yesterday afternoon but was sent home for the weekend after about an hour of deliberations.

Judge Brian Forster QC said a verdict would instead by reached on Monday.

He warned members of the jury not to discuss the case with anyone over the weekend and not to seek any information.

The trial continues.