Police anger over missing witness in 'joyriding' hearing
THE police have expressed disappointment after the case involving a teenager who allegedly left a "trail of destruction" in Combe Martin was thrown out of court.
Daniel Mansfield, 18, was charged with aggravated vehicle taking after allegedly taking his father's van without permission and crashing into several vehicles in Combe Martin last May.
The charge was dropped at North Devon Magistrates' Court last month because the police have not been able to contact his father, Peter Mansfield.
The prosecution withdrew its case because Peter Mansfield was their key witness and the court would not allow any further adjournments.
Now Ilfracombe neighbourhood team leader Sgt Ian Dawson has talked about the police's frustration after the case was discontinued.
He said: "The key witness who was the owner of the stolen vehicle, failed to attend the court. Without his evidence the case could not proceed.
"It is important for the public to realise that in any investigation, the police need people to come forward and be prepared to attend court if necessary in order to convict those who break the law.
"We know there are people in the area who had information to give to the police in this matter but who, for whatever reason, declined to give statements which could have been used in a court of law.
"As the case has been withdrawn we will now not be able to test the strength of the evidence that was obtained in this matter.
"I would like to reassure the public that we try to do all we can to secure the conviction of offenders, but again we rely on the assistance of the public to do so, without whom we cannot do our job.
"Devon and Cornwall Constabulary remain committed to the delivery of a first class service to all victims of crime."
8 Comments
by The Boss, Devon
Thursday, March 11 2010, 10:46AM
“Police anger after their failed stitch up failed to work, all because they fail to carry out their investigations properly. All they wanted was a scapegoat to quell the disbelief at their inability to bring the real offenders to justice, now out-crying to make it appear as if they tried all above the books and trying to cover their own backs. Pathetic "police officers".”
by comberaider, ilfracombe
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 5:48PM
“"Devon and Cornwall Constabulary remain committed to the delivery of a first class service to all victims of crime."..........poppycock.....they could not manage to serve a summons according to the previous article”
by comberaider, ilfracombe
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 5:27PM
“looks like the officer in charge of this case is past his sell by date and needs to be put out to pasture slim....................”
by slim shady, barny army
Monday, March 08 2010, 11:06AM
“'defective constable' love that little personal touch comberaider!!”
by comberaider, ilfracombe
Saturday, March 06 2010, 4:27PM
“i was in court on the day of the trail of this young lad,the barristers seemed more concerned about the catalogue of police errors in this case which they seem avoiding taking any responseabilty for.i would advise they victims concerned with this case to make a formal complaint to the independent police complaints commision,this can be done via the ipcc website where you can submit your complaint online.the officer in charge of the case is defective constable keith clark.”
by The Big Boss, Combe Martin
Saturday, March 06 2010, 9:42AM
“Awwww, what a shame for the police.
The tide is turning.”
by Elrico, Devon
Friday, March 05 2010, 12:30PM
“Courts hands will be tied on this. A witness cannot be forced to give evidence in this kind of matter and its up to the CPS to decide the offence, not the court. This case would have been incredibly frustrating to the police, but without the key witness there is nothing anyone can do.”
by dave, north devon
Thursday, March 04 2010, 9:25AM
“Why was this witness not issued with a summons by the court, and subsequently arrested and charged for not attending court? Or if one was issued, are there still plans to prosecute him when he is located?
Otherwise, what message does this send? If you nick your parents car and cause untold damage, if your parents don't want you to be in trouble they simply don't have to attend court....
And surely the court could have found the lad guilty of criminal damage or something instead?
Our courts are a joke.”