‘MY RELIEF THAT THIS NIGHTMARE IS OVER’
Councillor cleared of mowing down his wife’s new lover
A ROAD safety campaigner has spoken of the “nightmare” of being accused of mowing down his wife’s new lover in his car – as a jury found him not guilty on Friday.
Lib Dem councillor Ian Spiller, 36, from Bridgend, was cleared at Newport Crown Court and afterwards spoke of the “12 months of hell” he has endured.
Mr Spiller said he was “completely shocked” at the actions of his wife Vicky, who gave evidence on behalf of her lover Karl Davies – the man he was accused of deliberately running down in his Audi A5.
A jury took less than an hour to find dad of two Mr Spiller not guilty of dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Mr Spiller had been married to wife Vicky, 35, for 10 years before they split up but they remained living in the same home.
Speaking after the verdict, Mr Spiller said: “I am relieved that this nightmare has been brought to an end, and 12 months of unfounded accusations resulted in a jury finding me not guilty in 30 minutes of all charges.
“I regret very much that Karl Davies suffered series injuries as a result of my actions on February 11, 2017, however the accusations that I ran over him have been proven to be untrue.
“There was absolutely no physical evidence on the car and Karl Davies never received any lower body injuries.”
Prosecutor Christopher Rees said that Spiller – who led a campaign for road safety in their home village – drove at his victim after becoming jealous after she met the new man.
But Mr Spiller – who denied the charges against him – said his wife’s lover had hurt himself when he attacked his car.
The trial heard his sisterin-law, Holly Crawford, was in the passenger seat when Mr Davies sprinted at the car.
Mr Spiller told the court: “Karl Davies was running at my car. Holly opened her door and with that Karl came around to her side of the car. He slammed the door back on her – I don’t know whether he kicked it or punched it.
“There were just punches going everywhere. He punched the pillar, then the wing mirror.
“I turned the car back into reverse – he followed, he was in a blind, blind rage.”
Mr Spiller said Mr Davies then followed the car and grabbed hold of Miss Crawford.
He told the court he reversed to get Mr Davies off the car.
Mr Davies was knocked unconscious and left with a fractured skull after the incident.
Speaking after the end of the trial, Mr Spiller said: “My actions in driving off to prevent her being further hurt I drove the car away, as a result Karl fell from the vehicle causing him significant injury to which we were completely unaware.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody that has trusted and supported me throughout this horrendous ordeal and for my community for showing the faith in me to re-elect me in May 2017 despite the outstanding allegations against me.”
The court heard Mr Davies, 40, started a relationship with Mrs Spiller after they would meet up for runs.
During the trial, Mr Spiller had said that his wife and Mr Davies would meet up to go running and became “uncomfortably friendly”.
He said: “Vicky’s attitude towards me and the children changed.
“She got very distant, she began to spend a lot of time trying to get out of the house.
“When she was in the house she was on the phone to him and texting him.”