Indian national Balbir Matharu was knocked down and dragged to death under the wheels of a car when he tried to stop two thieves, who had broken into his van to steal a stereo system, a court was informed in London [Images].

Matharu (54), who hailed from Punjab, was killed after confronting the duo when he saw one of them smash the window of his white Mercedes van, the Old Bailey court was told.

The victim was working at his family building firm in Stratford in east London, when the incident occurred on January 12, 2006.

Matharu chased the thieves who ran and jumped into a waiting Ford Mondeo and knocked him as he tried to stop their getaway.

Brothers Albert Willett (26) and Tommy Willett (24) were the occupants of the car, the court was told on Thursday evening.

"Matharu was not prepared to let them escape. He stood in front of the car and banged on the bonnet. Matharu expected the car not to move, but the Willett brothers were not in a mood to stop. They were so desperate not to get caught for a fairly trivial offence, they were prepared to commit a terrible one," Prosecutor Crispin Aylett said.

Matharu fell down under the car as it sped away and was dragged before he was run over.

"They left Matharu lying in the road. They simply did not give a damn," the prosecutor said.

Albert Willett has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but both brothers, who lived on a travellers' site in Clays Lane in Stratford, deny murder.