The judge apologizes to an 83-year-old woman for hauling her to court.
An 83-year-old woman, Mavis Witts, was charged with the death of a 51-year-old, Stephen Ferguson, on 21st April 2019. She has been cleared with all the charges.
According to the court, Stephen was going at over 100mph along a 50mph road at the time of the fatal accident. After lingering for the past 18 months, on Tuesday, Mrs. Witts was finally exonerated of any blame.
The court heard that the accident happened between Mr. Ferguson’s S1000 RR motorbike and Mrs. Witts’s vehicle at a crossroads on the A45, and after the collision, Mr. Ferguson was rushed to the hospital where he lost his life.
Mrs. Witts, who is from Flecknoe, Warwickshire, first appeared before magistrates charged with killing Mr. Ferguson on February 12. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, her case at the crown court prolonged.
Michael Rawlinson, the defense lawyer, said that he had obtained das-cam footage to prove the innocence of his client.
After watching the footage, the expert told the court that the speed of the bike was more than 50mph speed limit.
Mrs. Witts entered a not guilty plea to the charge, which was accepted by prosecutor Hugh O’Brien-Quinn, he said that he would offer no evidence against her.
After the prosecutor offered no further evidence at Warwick Crown Court, Judge Sylvia de Bertodan apologized to the elderly woman for the uneasiness that was caused by the case.
She said that there was neither evidence nor suggestions that she had done anything wrong, and it could have happened to anyone. She further said the defendant might not get an apology from anyone else, but she is getting from her.
While addressing the court, she said that it would be very upsetting to be involved in such cases and then to get the blame for it, when it is clear that the person was not at fault, must be distressing.