A burglar who killed an amputee war veteran by running him over with his own car has been pictured for the first time after being found guilty of manslaughter.
Errol Woodger, 38, from Abbey Wood, was convicted at the Old Bailey on Tuesday following a three-week trial for the manslaughter and robbery of 50-year-old Marc Allen.
The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of 29 December 2019, after Woodger broke into a block of flats on Peareswood Road and was confronted by Mr Allen, an Afghanistan veteran and amputee.
A Tragic Confrontation
Woodger stole Mr Allen’s car keys and attempted to flee in his grey Mercedes GLA, which had been provided through a Motability scheme. When Mr Allen stood in the road to stop him, Woodger used the car “as a weapon” and struck him at speed, sending him over the bonnet and roof, before fleeing the scene.
Neighbours found Mr Allen lying unconscious in the road with severe head injuries. He never regained consciousness and died nearly a month later, on 29 January 2020, at King’s College Hospital.
Victim Remembered
Mr Allen, who had lost part of his right leg due to illness and used a prosthetic limb, had reportedly been relaxing at home when he heard someone break into a neighbouring flat. In his haste to confront the intruder, he left one of his trainers behind and ran out to confront the thief.
Witness Linda Rumsey, a neighbour, recalled the horrific moment she saw the car hit Mr Allen:
“He slid down the back of the boot and his head went bang when it hit the floor. I heard his head crack—it sent a shiver through me.”
Another resident, Louise Hamilton, rushed to his aid and described seeing significant injuries to his head, chin, and forearms.
Woodger’s Claims Rejected
Woodger denied being the driver, claiming he was only a passenger and that an accomplice—who has since died of a drug overdose—was behind the wheel. However, forensic evidence contradicted his story, with his fingerprints and DNA found on items inside the vehicle.
The jury rejected his account after seven-and-a-half hours of deliberation, convicting him of manslaughter and robbery, but clearing him of murder. Woodger, who has 15 previous convictions including for robbery, clapped in court after being acquitted of the more serious charge.
Previous Assault Linked to Crime?
Woodger told police he had been hospitalised following an assault by eight men on the same day as the killing. However, the prosecution argued this attack occurred 12 hours after the fatal hit-and-run and was likely a retaliatory beating by members of a traveller site, where Woodger had taken the “hot” car.
Prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC told jurors:
“They did not need or want attention. The car needed to be hidden, not paraded into the site within an hour of having just run down the owner.”
Sentencing to Follow
Judge Rebecca Trowler KC remanded Woodger in custody ahead of sentencing on 27 June.
Following the verdict, tributes poured in for Mr Allen, who was described by neighbours and friends as a “kind and courageous man” whose life was cut tragically short.
Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with further information to come forward.
