Richard Dawson started this year on a positive note with a successful result in his first trial back.

AP was originally charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Despite repeated attempts to resolve the case earlier, it took until trial for the CPS to finally be persuaded that the standard of driving, while below, was not far below the standard to be expected of the competent, careful driver.

The tragic accident was captured on AP’s own dash camera. Representations had been made throughout the drawn out proceedings that the driving was careless, rather than dangerous, as shown on that dash cam footage (rejected on every occasion by the CPS).

The footage being so very clear, it had been determined, unusually, that the Defence did not need the input of an independent collision reconstruction expert. However, two weeks before trial (immediately before the Christmas break) the CPS served an expert report from a Police collision reconstructionist. Surprisingly, it was largely exculpatory. Notwithstanding, the CPS still determined to press on to trial. However, on the day, they were finally persuaded to accept the lesser offence. Albeit something of a Pyrrhic victory, given the inordinate length of proceedings and the stress for both AP and for the Complainant, whose claim for compensation for the injuries he sustained has been delayed in consequence.

Richard was instructed by Beth Larkin and Nina Lewis at DWF.

Particular thanks to Peter Davey at Viewpoint Investigative Services for stepping into the breach as expert for the Defence over the Christmas period and making himself available for trial at Hull Crown Court on the first working week of the year.

Richard Dawson is an expert trial lawyer, specialising in road traffic law, defending drivers charged with offences arising out of catastrophic or fatal accidents.

To view Richard’s full profile, click here.