High profile acquittal for Michael Rawlinson in tragic death by careless driving case

November 24, 2017

Michael Rawlinson of Exchange Chambers has secured the unanimous acquittal of a 71 year old taxi driver who hit and killed a 21 year old student lying asleep in the middle of road after a night out in York.

Frank Norman, who had been a taxi driver in York for over thirty years, always maintained that he did not see Robert Stephenson until the last moment, and thought that in any event he was driving over a bin bag.

Despite that, he was charged with causing death by careless driving.

The trial involved complex competing expert witness evidence from two Forensic Collision Investigators.

Following a four day trial at York Crown Court, the jury took just 1 hour and 45 minutes to unanimously accquit Mr. Norman. Michael was instructed by Kevin Blount of Howard & Byrne Solicitors in York.

Given the tragic and highly sensitive nature of the case, it received widespread media coverage both locally and nationally by Metro, York Press and the Daily Mail.

Michael is a member of Chambers crime, regulatory, inquest and professional discipline teams, and is a specialist in fatal road traffic offences.

He accepts private instructions in such matters, as well instructions on behalf of employers and insurance companies to represent drivers charged with such offences at trial and in related proceedings e.g. inquests, disciplinary proceedings.