GRIEVOUS BODILY HARM CHARGE AGAINST DANGEROUS DRIVER

Early day motion 662, tabled 3 February 2009 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 19 members.

That this House welcomes the decision of Essex Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to bring an additional charge of grievous bodily harm against a driver involved in a serious road crash near Stansted Airport, Essex, which resulted in a young woman being paralysed for life; congratulates the jury at Chelmsford Crown Court for its unanimous verdict of convicting the driver of the offence in addition to his admission of dangerous driving, the first time this has featured in the judicial system; and urges other police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service to charge drivers with grievous bodily harm when the enormity of the incident means that the charge of dangerous driving is not adequate.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 3, Independent 2.