Bognor murder trial - Mother in tears as she relives horror of daughter's death

Cassandra Hasanovic, 24, was about to be driven to a women's refuge by her mother on July 29 last year but they were stopped in Normanton Avenue by her estranged husband Hajrudin Hasanovic.

In a shaken state, her mother Sharon De Souza could not get the car started as Hasanovic put his hands on the bonnet of the car and stared at her.

"I got into the car and Cassie said 'quick mum, drive.' She had been waiting to go to the refuge. I was starting the engine and she said 'it's him', and I said 'who?'

"And she said 'it's Harry', and I just remember trying to start the car and the alarm went off and I could not get the car started. I was trying to see where Harry was.

"I said to her 'where?' And she said 'there in front' and I could see a figure coming towards me in the shade.

"I looked up again and he was staring towards me. I just thought 'oh my God'.

"I suddenly realised the windows and sunroof were open.

"He kept coming towards the car and I was still trying to start the car. Then he pushed down on the bonnet and he was just staring right at me."

Hasanovic moved to the passenger side of the car and opened the door. Mrs Hasanovic was sitting in the back seat with her sons either side of her.

At this point Mrs De Souza was out of the car and on the pavement. She was struggling to call the police on her phone as was shaking uncontrollably.

She told Lewes Crown Court how she saw her daughter dragged from the car and was left lying face down on the floor.

Hasanovic then walked toward Mrs De Souza and smacked her mobile phone out of her hands as she was still trying to call the police.

At this point a man started walking down the road towards the two of them, but as Mrs De Souza thought he was coming to help he crossed the road and walked away.

Shortly afterwards Hasanovic walked off and Mrs Hasanovic went to see her daughter.

She said: "She was lying on the ground. Her eyes were open and she was not moving at all.

"I was talking to her. I didn't realise she was dead. I said, come on, hold on, you're going to be okay.

"I could see the blood. I could not take it in and I remember hearing the boys screaming."

Hasanovic, 33, of Prescott Close, Guston, near Dover, denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The trial continues.

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