Family concerned lorry death could happen again
Court case dropped as Judge says there is lack of evidence
THE family of a pensioner who died following an incident with a lorry say they are “disappointed” the case against the lorry driver has been dropped.
William McTaff was driving a large goods vehicle in Wood Street, Earl Shilton, when it collided with 77-year-old Margaret Finney as she crossed the front entrance to Buildbase builders’ yard.
Mrs Finney, who lived in the village, was on her way to a coffee morning on April 26, 2016, when the tragedy happened.
Mr McTaff, of Orchard Road, Lutterworth, had denied causing her death by driving dangerously or carelessly.
Last week, a judge decided there was insufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution and the case was dropped. Mr McTaff was acquitted.
Now, Mrs Finney’s son, Mark, has said: “It’s extremely disappointing because we haven’t heard all of the evidence and the court hearing was our opportunity to do that.
“Our main concern is that no-one else is killed in this way.”
He said they were concerned that if there were blind spots then something needed to be done about it or it would happen again.
Mr Finney said that he had contacted Leicestershire Highways to discuss the potential dangers of lorries going in and out of the premises in Wood Street and would be getting in touch with the Health and Safety Executive.
A spokesman from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “After hearing expert evidence in court about the incident, the defence applied to the judge to consider that there was no case to answer.
“The judge acknowl- edged that the case had been properly brought, but on the basis of the evidence heard in court agreed with the defence and ordered the defendant should be acquitted. We acknowledge and respect the judge’s decision.
“Our first thoughts are for Mrs Finney’s family. We would like to extend sincere condolences for their loss.
“The CPS has met with them at court to do what it can to explain the circumstances behind the conclusion of this case.”