‘They don’t know the torment we have been through’
Family’s anger as case against son’s death suspect is dropped
A couple have spoken of their anger after the case against the biker accused of killing their son collapsed nearly two years later.
Dan and Linda Golden feel “numb with frustration” that David John Frost will not face a jury trial over the death of Frazer Golden.
The Sunderland couple’s 30-year-old son died after his motorcycle was involved in a head-on collision with a second bike ridden by Mr Frost in April 2017.
After the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initially decided against prosecuting Mr Frost, now 35, on the grounds of “insufficient evidence”, the Goldens forced a U-turn after securing a Victim’s Right to Review.
Mr Frost, of Lyon Street, Hebburn, was last year charged with causing death by careless driving with the case against him due to continue at Durham Crown Court earlier this month.
Less than a week beforehand, however, the Goldens were informed that the CPS had decided to drop the case after a further review.
Mr Frost was then formally acquitted at court.
Mr Golden senior, 68, a retired electrician, said: “We feel numb with frustration at what has happened.
“It has taken so long to get this far and feel as though the rug has been pulled from under our feet at the 11th hour.
“We don’t see why the case could not have been heard by a judge and jury so that they could decide what happened.”
The Goldens, from Chapel Garth, backed by daughters Louise Golden, 41, and Faye Golden, 31, a shop assistant, are now considering whether to seek a judicial review or private prosecution.
Police say the two bikes collided on Sunday, April 9, 2017, while travelling in opposite directions on the A689, near St John’s Chapel, in Weardale. Mr Golden, who lived with partner Helen Gaughan, 24, in Seaham, was enjoying a day out with a fellow motorcycle enthusiast and did not know Yamaha rider Mr Frost.
The former Farringdon Community Academy pupil died after his Honda bike hit a wall at about 2pm.
A CPS Spokesperson said: “Although there were some eye-witness accounts which suggested that the charged defendant was at fault, the police expert’s forensic evidence supported his defence that he was riding at a safe speed in the correct part of the road immediately before the incident.
“Any prosecution would have to prove that his riding had fallen below the standard of a reasonably competent rider, but the overall evidential picture did not provide a realistic prospect of conviction for the offence of causing death by careless driving.”