THE jury in the trial of a man accused of narrowly missing a Droitwich family while performing "a wheelie" on his powerful motorbike failed to reach a verdict today, after deliberating for over four hours.

Michael Leeson, aged 25, of Crofters Way, Droitwich, denies dangrous driving on his 1,000cc KTM Super Duke.

The family claimed they were nearly hit after he deliberately lifted his front wheel off the road in Meadow Way, Droitwich, as they were crossing over on their route to lunch on July 31, 2011.

Leeson told Worcester Crown Court he did not "pull stunts" like that after riding the £8,500 bike for two years.

He said he apologised to the father, who later confronted him outside a pub, because he feared being beaten up - but it was not an admission that he had done anything wrong.

A friend who was riding another motorcycle behind Leeson's machine insisted the defendant did not carry out a wheelie.

But prosecutor Peter Grice maintained Leeson was showing off on a straight road by having "one last blast" at the end of a Sunday ride.

The jury of six men and six women will be sent out on Thursday for further deliberations.

Judge Toby Hooper QC has told jurors they can either reach an unanimous or a majority verdict.