Case against Shropshire businessman accused of killing 92-year-old Bridgnorth woman collapses
The prosecution in the case of a businessman accused of killing a 92-year-old woman through careless driving has offered no evidence.
Richard Beaman, 56, of Church Street, Broseley, had denied causing the death of Barbara Gwilt, 92. Mrs Gwilt died in Old Smithfield in Bridgnorth on September 10, 2021.
But on the first day of his trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday, prosecutor, Sophia Murray KC said there was “little realistic possibility of bringing a successful prosecution in this case”.
She added that because of that, the Crown Prosecution Service was going to offer no evidence against Mr Beaman.
Judge Anthony Lowe said he had “enormous sympathy” for the family of Mrs Gwilt: “When somebody dies you want somebody to be accountable but this is not what criminal law is about. That doesn’t mean to say there is not enormous sympathy for the family following this terrible situation.”
Judge Lowe told Mr Beaman he was free to go and ordered the prosecution to pay £100 in court costs to the defendant.
