Court clears death driver
A Shropshire dumper truck driver who collided with an elderly woman pedestrian has been cleared of causing her death by dangerous driving. A Shropshire dumper truck driver who collided with an elderly woman pedestrian has been cleared of causing her death by dangerous driving. Jamie Lee Jones, of Barke Street, Highley, was found not guilty on the judge's directions following the death of 76-year-old Joan Browley. Mrs Browley was badly hurt in a collision in Southport town centre on December 6 last year. The 27-year-old was driving the dumper truck laden with pallets and rubbish at the end of the day when he hit Mrs Browley, who died later the same evening after suffering internal injuries. His barrister Arthur Gibson successfully argued that there was no case to answer during a three-day trial taking place at Liverpool Crown Court. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star.
A Shropshire dumper truck driver who collided with an elderly woman pedestrian has been cleared of causing her death by dangerous driving.
Jamie Lee Jones, of Barke Street, Highley, was found not guilty on the judge's directions following the death of 76-year-old Joan Browley. Mrs Browley was badly hurt in a collision in Southport town centre on December 6 last year.
The 27-year-old was driving the dumper truck laden with pallets and rubbish at the end of the day when he hit Mrs Browley, who died later the same evening after suffering internal injuries.
His barrister Arthur Gibson successfully argued that there was no case to answer during a three-day trial taking place at Liverpool Crown Court.
Jones then admitted careless driving and was fined £600 and banned from driving for 12 months.
He was employed by a landscaping firm which had been sub-contracted to pedestrianise the area.
The court heard members of the public had been allowed to walk through the area where works vehicles were despite guidance from the Health and Safety Executive that barriers should be in place.
Jones had driven about 10ft with a banksman - a lookout - in front because the dumper truck had a blind spot, when he struck Mrs Browley and her husband, Frederick.
Lesley Carter, prosecuting, said the elderly couple were both knocked to the ground by the truck, which had a flashing amber light on the top.
Mr Browley suffered head and leg injuries but his wife suffered serious internal injuries and died later that evening in hospital.
Jones was prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving on the grounds that his vehicle had restricted visibility and he did not have a banksman.
But the jury heard he did have the lookout, Anthony Griffiths, though he also did not see the couple, who had walked in front of the truck, in time.
Mr Gibson, for Jones, said Jones had been devastated by the tragedy and was still receiving counselling.
He said: "As soon as his lookout shouted to stop he did so but it was too late."
By Steve Todd
