Man is cleared of car wrecking spree

Trial collapses after key witness fails to give evidence

A MAN accused of going on a drunken, car-wrecking rampage in the early hours of New Year’s Day has been cleared of all the charges.

Arran Joseph Gothard was accused of causing thousands of pounds worth of wanton damage to vehicles and property in Charlton Place, Newbury.

At a hearing before Newbury magistrates on February 26 this year, Sally Morgan, defending, said her client had been so drunk that he simply had no recollection of what he had, or had not, been doing when he was arrested near the scene.

She challenged the Crown to prove its case against her client and the matter was adjourned until Thursday, May 28.

But at the latest hearing the prosecution was forced to offer no evidence after a key witness declined to give evidence.

Mr Gothard, aged 22, of Two Rivers Way, Newbury, denied causing

* £200-worth of damage to a fence belonging to Mrs O’Sullivan

* £1,800 worth of damage to a Mercedes belonging to a Mr Carrick

* damage to a Mitsubishi Carisma belonging to a Mr Fairchilds

* damage to a Transit van belonging to Mr Fairchilds

* damage to a Nissan Micra belonging to a Mr Millard

* £450 worth of damage to a Peugeot van belonging to Boots

* £300 worth of damage to a Vauxhall Corsa belonging to a Mrs Medhurst

He further denied using violence to secure entry into premises in Charlton Place, all on the same occasion.

Ms Morgan said, of the prosecution witness’s failure to attend: “The Crown hasn’t just learned of this. They haven’t dealt with these matters expeditiously or judiciously. Justice delayed is justice denied.

“We wrote to the Crown twice asking for CCTV evidence and that only arrived this morning.”

Magistrates refused to grant an adjournment. Lauren Sales, prosecuting, then offered no evidence and Mr Gothard was formally acquitted.

Mr Gothard then admitted one remaining charge of threatening behaviour arising from his arrest near the scene of the offences.

He also has previous convictions, the court heard.

Ms Sales said he had fled from officers called to the scene of the damage. She added: “They shouted: ‘Stop, where are you going?’”

One officer said in a statement: “He came running towards me with fists drawn back as if about to attack.”

It took several officers to overpower Mr Gothard with baton strikes, said Ms Sales.

Mrs Morgan said: “He had been celebrating New Year’s Eve too well. He has learned his lesson.”

Mr Gothard was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs plus a statutory surcharge of £20.