Last week HHJ Crowther order the CPS to pay £9960 in wasted costs following an application by the defence for costs arising as a result of a clear and stark error by the CPS. PC Henry Martin was driving a police van when he was dispatched to deal with a suspect of a domestic stabbing.
The suspect fled on a pedal cycle across an empty pavement. The officer cut in front of him and arrested him. There was no criticism of the officer’s driving by any police driving expert. The CPS chose to pursue the case for over a year before dropping it days before the trial was due to start. A timely reminder of the need to obtain expert evidence in Police driving cases and of the powers of the Courts to award costs in cases where there has been a clear and stark error.
It is hoped that this may cause those who prosecute police drivers to carefully consider their cases before bringing charges against police drivers.
Mark Aldred