Man facing retrial over death of comic’s son
A MAN accused of killing the son of Frank Sidebottom creator Chris Sievey could face a retrial after a jury was unable to reach a verdict.
Vithal Visavadiya denies causing the death of 25-year-old Harrison Sievey by careless driving.
Jurors said they could not return a verdict in the case of Mr Visavadiya after initially being sent out to begin their deliberations on Thursday.
By noon on Friday, Judge Patrick Field QC told the jury he would accept a majority verdict on which 10 of the 12 jurors were agreed.
But after seven-and-a-half hours of deliberations, the jury foreman said no further time would help them reach a verdict and the judge discharged them.
Mr Visavadiya, 63, Clunton Avenue, Bolton, was released on unconditional bail until a further hearing on August 6. Prosecutors will then reveal whether they will seek a retrial.
Addressing the defendant, Judge Field explained that the case was being adjourned until next month.
“That will be a procedural hearing, at which a decision will be made as to the future conduct of this case,” he said.
The Manchester Crown Court trial, which began on Monday, heard how Mr Sievey had been out for a drink with a friend in Withington on February 12 last year.
Mr Visavadiya had been out for a Valentines meal with his wife and was of returning home to Bolton, when the collision happened at about 10.15pm, on Mauldeth Road West. Mr Sievey, known to friends as Harry, had drunk three pints of lager and taken half a ‘Xanax’ pill, the court heard. He was on his bike when he crashed, falling into the road. His friend Isaak Coller went to his aid and, as he was looking after his friend, witnesses saw a blue Vauxhall Corsa approaching the pair. One witness said one man put their hand up and shouted ‘stop’ to try and alert Mr Visavadiya, the court heard. Another driver, who stopped his vehicle on the opposite side of the road, claimed in evidence that he flashed his headlights at the Corsa continuously in an attempt to warn the driver. Despite this, Mr Visavadiya continued and hit the two men in the road, prosecutors say. Mr Coller suffered minor injuries but Mr Sievey later died. Mr Visavadiya, who had one and a half pints of lager before taking to the wheel, said he was driving carefully. He said his vision was affected by the lights from the car. Judge Patrick Field QC