Criminal injustice

ALTHOUGH it is rare for public bodies to apologise for their failings, the Crown Prosecution Service's admission that its actions have failed teenage hit-and-run victim Becky Jones offers no consolation whatsoever to the brave 17-year-old, or her family.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Sep 2010, 23:55 BST
Updated 9th Sep 2010, 23:55 BST

No-one will forget the haunting image of Becky, wired up to a hospital life support machine, after she was left with life-threatening brain injuries when a car ploughed into her, and left her for dead, while she waited by a bus stop in Stainforth. It was only published in a bid to apprehend those responsible.

Though charges were eventually lodged against three men who were allegedly in the car in question for failing to identify the driver,

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the CPS later dropped this case – and now says that it is too late to bring about other court proceedings.

Cutting through the legalese, the consequence is a harrowing one: while Becky continues to come to terms with her injuries with tremendous courage and fortitude, those responsible appear to have escaped justice because of a failure to admit their guilt, and the inability of the CPS to fulfil its remit and adequately defend the interests of Becky and her family. Is it any wonder that so many victims feel betrayed by the criminal justice system?

Related topics:Stainforth