Driver on trial accused of trying to kill children

A man with three children in his car drove into oncoming traffic in an attempt to take his own life and that of his young passengers, a court heard.

Tancredo Bankhardt, 41, "deliberately" drove "at some speed into oncoming traffic" on the A146 near Loddon, Norfolk, on 26 September, a prosecutor said.

Bankhardt, of Saxon Road, Great Yarmouth, had made sure none of the children in the Vauxhall Astra were wearing seatbelts at the time, the jury was told.

He denies three counts of attempted murder and is on trial at Norwich Crown Court.

Bankhardt also denies three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, two in respect of two of the three children, the third count in respect of another man.

Norfolk Police said at the time of the incident that the driver of another car had been treated for injuries.

Prosecutor Stephen Rose KC said Bankhardt "decided to end his own life" and that of the three children "by deliberately orchestrating a road traffic collision".

The court heard Bankhardt had driven up and down a stretch of the A146 for about two hours before the crash, "turning around at roundabouts and retracing his route".

Rose said the collision happened at 20:33 BST on the Loddon bypass, where the speed limit was 60mph.

The vehicle's dashcam indicated it was travelling at about 74mph before the collision, the barrister said.

"The result was a serious collision involving multiple vehicles," he added.

Rose told the court the crash was "as a result of a decision taken by Mr Bankhardt, no doubt in something of a heightened state of emotion".

He said no lives had been lost, but "serious injuries" had been caused.

Rose said Bankhardt was expected to tell the court that the incident was "just a terrible accident" and he "didn't intend to kill either himself" or the three children.

Bankhardt also denies a seventh count, of dangerous driving.

The trial, expected to last at least two weeks, continues.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.