BOLTON-born costume designer Elizabeth Sherlock mumbled and tried to push herself up from the ground after she was run over by a thief's getaway car, the Old Bailey was told.

A man and woman inside the car were smiling as they drove off, a witness, Edmond Mills, told the court.

Mr Mills said: "We thought it was a hit-and-run and called the authorities. What surprised me was the laugh on their faces."

Mr Mills, an electrics importer from Ghana, had been given a lift to Euston train station by a friend. He was travelling by train to Liverpool on business.

As they neared the station he saw a fireman throw his helmet at the car's windscreen. Someone was lying on the street.

Mr Mills was giving evidence on the third day of the trial of a man and woman accused of murdering Mrs Sherlock when she gave chase after her handbag was snatched at the station.

Mark Woolley, aged 36, from Pentonville, and Jackie Moorhouse, aged 24, from West Hampstead, both north London, deny murdering Mrs Sherlock on April 16.

Woolley has admitted manslaughter, but denies theft of a shoulder bag. Moorhouse denies manslaughter.

Mrs Sherlock's parents live in Lostock.

A fireman, Martin Brooker, told the court he saw the car drive over her.

He said: "Both of its front wheels raised off the ground as it went over the body. As it came to rest it rolled the body underneath the car.

"My colleague threw his fire helmet towards the vehicle."

Mr Brooker said he went over to Mrs Sherlock.

He added: "I knelt by her head. It was on one side and I felt her pulse. As I did so she mumbled and was trying to push herself up off the floor.

"I told her to stay where she was."

(Proceeding)