Ian Bridge, instructed by Sewli Kuddus at Horwich Farrelly, successfully secured the acquittal of a motorist at Croydon Crown Court who had been accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The case centred on allegations of racing, based solely on witness testimony, without any forensic collision reconstruction to support the claims.
The defence introduced expert evidence that, despite being based on poor-quality photographs of the scene, provided a limited but effective reconstruction. This expert testimony played a pivotal role in undermining the reliability of the witness accounts, ultimately contributing to the acquittal.
This case highlights a recurring issue in prosecutions for the relatively new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving. Often, such cases are charged without the involvement of forensic collision investigators or a police force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU). A lack of thorough investigation can result in critical evidence being lost, making it challenging for experts to reconstruct the circumstances and increasing the risk of an unfair trial for the accused.
Ian Bridge is an experienced advocate with a proven track record in defending drivers facing serious allegations, including those involving complex technical evidence or insufficient investigative procedures.
For legal representation or advice, Ian can be contacted through his clerk, Chris Mitchell, at chrism@no5.com.
