Supreme Court Driver On Trial After Collision With Cyclists

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 7

Supreme Court Driver On Trial After Collision With Cyclists

The trial of Leslie James Nolan, aged 30, a labourer, on a charge of negligently driving a motor-car on July 20 and thereby causing bodily injury to Barry Middleton and Linda Margaret Rutledge was adjourned until today by Mr Justice Wilson in the Supreme Court yesterday at the conclusion of evidence for the Crown.

The accused was represented by Mr R. A. Young, with him Mr P. G. S. Petilington.

Mr C. M. Roper, for the Crown, said that children would say in evidence that they were among five persons aged between 14 and 15 who had left a Bible class at St. Matthew’s Church in Cranford street about 9.5 p.m. on Friday. July 20. They would say it was a fine, clear

night, and that the street lighting was excellent. The children would say that all five were on cycles which had lights front and rear. They travelled north in Cranford street from the church, stopped at Westminster street, then continued north in Cranford street to the home of Linda Rutledge. They then continued along Cranford street towards the home of another to watch television.

They would say that Fay Reynolds and Linda Rutledge rode together in fron‘, with Linda Rutlege on the right. Barry Middleton was on his own behind them, followed by Gavin Cooper and Linda Marshall together. They would say they heard a car and saw lights approaching from behind The car passed the two cyclists ait the rear safely, and then struck Barry Mid-

dleton and then Linda Rutledge. Some of the children would describe how the car continued for some distance after the impact, with children dropping off the bonnet some distance apart. Middleton suffered severe head injuries and was unconscious for more than two weeks. Rutledge’s head injuries were minor, and she was discharged from hospital after two days, Mr Roiper said.

Sergeant P. J. Alty would say that Nolan told him he had seen the cyclists and pulled out to overtake them. One cyclist then pulled out and the accident occurred. It was only when he came back that he realised he had hit two cyclists. Sergeant Alty would say Nolan told him he had had 10 beers between 6.20 pm. and 9 p.m. The car keys were taken from Nolan and he was forbidden to drive. When later interviewed, Nolan told the police that two' cyclists had moved out as he passed. They were the two at the rear of the group. Cross-examined by Mr Young, Linda Rutledge said she did not remember the order in which they left the church but did remember the order when they left her home.

She said she had discussed the position of the cycles with the others, but not before a policeman had taken her statement. They had cycled a very short distance from her home before the accident, occurred. At the conclusion of his

cross-examination of the final Crown witness, Mr Young said that no evidence would be offered by the defence.