Self-confessed car thief Scott Couch admitted he was drunk and fancied a joyride when he went to steal a car but struggled with the automatic gearbox and ran over the vehicle's owner.

But he was adamant he did not mean to kill pensioner Walter Bollen, asking a jury: "How is a simple car theft murder?"

Bristol Crown Court has heard Mr Bollen, 76, battled heroically to stop his car being stolen but a thief snatched it and deliberately drove over him, crushing him to death.

Couch, 23, of Denny Isle Drive, Severn Beach, denies murder on November 29 last year.

It is claimed he jumped into Mr Bollen's prized Skoda diesel as he opened the gates to his car park off Green Close, Horfield, just before midnight.

Couch, wearing a white jumper and jeans, told the jury that on the night in question he had been "literally forced" to go out by his partner, mum-of-three Laura Adams. He said he ended up going out with her and two friends to the Bristol Flyer and Gloucester Arms pubs, where he drank eight to nine pints of Fosters and Stella lager and the same number of Sambuca liquor shots.

Couch said that near the end of the night he argued with his girlfriend and he stormed off in a mood. He said he walked through Horfield, and called for a friend in Green Close who was not in.

He told the jury: "I noticed Mr Bollen's car and I decided to turn round and jump in the car.

"I was drunk, and it's the sort of thing I do. I shut the door and I tried to lock it but I couldn't find the locks. Mr Bollen saw me jump in the car and he ran towards the door."

Couch, who has never had a driving licence, told the jury he tried to put the car in gear but he struggled because it was an automatic. He described how, as he revved the engine, he let go of the door and it swung open and he heard Mr Bollen shout "Oi!".

He told the court: "I found reverse but I forgot to take the handbrake off. I eventually took the handbrake off; I let my foot off the brake and flew backwards."

Couch said he heard a crunching sound, but he wasn't aware where Mr Bollen was.

He said he tried to put the car in "drive" but shot backwards again. He said: "I eventually got it into drive. I moved forward and I was trying to get out of the street. I don't know what happened to Mr Bollen, I didn't see him in the road ahead... I accept I ran over him as he was lying there unconscious in the road."

Couch remained adamant he did not mean to kill the pensioner, but stressed he had panicked, he was not aware of where Mr Bollen was and he was ashamed.

He said: "Why would I want him dead? I didn't even see him when I was jumping in the car.

"I saw him when he was running around. I didn't prey on him. I didn't intentionally kill him… I accept it's my fault he's dead; I stole his car. I would expect him to defend his property."

The jury has heard that after Couch drove off neighbours and police tried to help Mr Bollen as he lay in the road, but paramedics pronounced him dead at just gone midnight.

Members of the jury were taken to the scene of the incident on Thursday afternoon.

The case continues