Driver in court over a cyclist’s crash death in case funded by 1,500 donors
A woman driver accused over a cyclist’s death has appeared in court in a private prosecution paid for by a charity which raised the £60,000 needed from 1,500 donors in an online appeal.
Gail Purcell hit Michael Mason on Regent's Street London
The Metropolitan Police had twice decided not to refer the case against driver Gail Purcell to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The private prosecution yesterday was brought against her by charity Cycling UK, which started the Cyclists’ Defence Fund, a body providing legal help for cyclists.
Purcell, 58, was in a collision with cyclist Michael Mason, 70, in her black Nissan Juke during evening rushhour on London’s Regent Street in February 2014.
The police twice decided not to refer the case
Retired teacher Mr Mason, of West Hampstead, London, died of his injuries 19 days later, having never regained consciousness.
Purcell, from St Albans, appeared before Westminster magistrates yesterday charged with causing death by careless driving.
She indicated she would to plead not guilty. Prosecutor Michael Goodwin said it was a “complex” and “serious” case which should be heard at crown court.
Mr Mason died of his injuries after spending 19 days unconscious
The case was transferred to London’s Southwark Crown Court on October 11.
She was bailed. Police reviewed their decision not to pass a file to prosecutors after pressure from the family but concluded they made the correct decision.
Mr Mason’s daughter, BBC journalist Anna Tatton-Brown, said previously : “It is sad we’ve had to rely on charity and public support to do what the the justice system should have done.”