In July 2017 CP was driving a HGV tractor and fully loaded trailer on the M20 and turned off at Junction 8. The HGV rolled over onto another vehicle causing serious injury to the other driver. The entire incident was caught on dashcam footage recorded by the vehicle travelling behind him. It was alleged by the CPS that CP failed to carry out the required walk around checks every HGV driver must complete before setting off (a DVSA requirement) and in doing so failed to notice one tyre on his trailer was visibly low. It was said that this led to his lorry rolling over onto another vehicle just off the M20 in Kent.

The defence case was that CP had carried out his daily checks and there was another cause of the accident, namely an inadequately secured load in the container. Evidence was provided by an expert instructed by the defence to support this. After full trial at Medway Magistrates Court the Magistrates return a verdict of not guilty and CP retained his HGV licence, his job and his good character. CP was represented by Aideen Mc Mahon a Solicitor based in our Ashford Office who specialises in road traffic offences.

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