Nottingham crime solicitor Graham Heathcote recently had the pleasure of travelling to Northallerton Magistrates’ Court to represent a client for dangerous driving who he has represented at his two previous firms of solicitors. The client chooses to have Graham represent him, presumably on the basis that he may well be able to work wonders with any case. More of this below…
Dangerous Driving ended in flames?
Graham’s client faced an allegation of dangerous driving. The allegation involved witnesses stating that he was undertaking, tailgating and attempting to manoeuvre between two moving vehicles in adjacent lanes. The incident ended with his client’s vehicle off the road and in a field. The vehicle had rolled onto him all but severing his arm. The car then burst into flames.
Late Instructions
Graham’s client had such confidence in his abilities that he failed to keep four office appointments, finally attending the office 48 hours before the trial. Graham only received the MG5, which is a summary of the allegation and the evidence, from the Crown Prosecution Service the day before the trial. The actual witness statements were only served at 9.45a.m. on the morning of the trial. These included the accident investigation report.
All witnesses were in attendance and prepared to give evidence. The court was in a position to hear the trial. An offer of a plea to careless driving fell on deaf ears.
I Can’t Remember
Cross-examination of witnesses was limited as the client could not recall anything of the incident. Although he gave evidence on his own behalf, that largely consisted of an admission of previous driving offences while asserting that the driving on this occasion didn’t sound like the way he would drive.
After being addressed on the burden and standard of proof, the law relating to dangerous driving and our client’s account the Magistrates found him not guilty of dangerous driving. He was, however, found guilty of careless driving but kept his driving licence.
Contact Graham Heathcote
If you are denying a case and the evidence is somewhat stacked against you, you ought to telephone Graham on 0115 9599550 or email him here.
