Five-year-old killed after electric car 'accelerates of its own accord'

Five-year-old Fareed was returning from school with his mother, Maryam Lemulu, when they paused to speak with Demisse's wife, Yodit Samuel, and their 12-year-old son Raphael.

While Demisse remained in the driver's seat offering sweets to Fareed, his Volkswagen ID.4 lurched forward and struck both children, The Sun reports.

The car then collided with five other vehicles before it finally came to a halt, jurors at the Old Bailey heard.

Fareed was taken to hospital but pronounced dead soon after.

The youngster had suffered injuries including a fractured skull, the court was told.

Jurors heard a police investigation had found the vehicle could only have accelerated due to the actions of a driver.

Prosecutor Michael Williams said Demisse, aged 52, had "inadvertently pressed the accelerator", adding the car was close to "maximum speed".

Defence barrister Stephen Knight argued the car had "move of its own accord".

He said, according to The Sun, "Mr Demisse did not press the car's accelerator.

"This all-electric car moved of its own accord."

In a statement read to the court, Ms Lemulu described the moment: "The car suddenly moved forward.

"It did not make any noise. It took off very fast."

The defendant has entered not guilty pleas to causing death and serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving.

The trial continues.