Chilton Foliat villagers’ fury as court case is dropped without explanation

VILLAGERS are demanding answers after a court case, triggered by a night of roads mayhem, collapsed.

In 2023 Newburytoday reported how residents made a citizens’ arrest on a driver who ploughed into parked cars on Stag Hill in Chilton Foliat.

One witness said: “We had heard this almighty bang and ran outside.

“Others came out in their pyjamas because it was so loud.

“It was utter carnage...there were parts of vehicles strewn all up the road.”

“This car had smashed into our neighbours’ vehicle then carried on up the road before ploughing into another car, a Mercedes.”

The driver had ripped one of his own wheels off, but the witness said: “He carried on, just on three wheels, with sparks flying out behind him.

“We caught up with the car but the driver wasn’t in it.”

Others found the suspect nearby and detained him until police arrived.

The witness added: “He said he had come from Hungerford and was headed home to Lambourn.”

Both parked cars that were struck – one of which is pictured – were reportedly written off.

The motorist, who, witnesses said, appeared drunk, was arrested but was only charged with one offence - that of failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

On Friday, March 21, the man - who Newburytoday is not identifying for legal reasons - appeared in the dock at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, where he was due to stand trial, having pleaded not guilty to the single charge.

But before the case could begin, Matthew Harbinson, prosecuting, told the district judge: “The police have disclosed something undermining to me today, which the crown was previously unaware of.

“In light of that, and having shown it to the defence, the crown offer no evidence on this charge.”

The judge told the man: “The prosecution offer no evidence against you.

“I formally enter a verdict of not guilty; you’re free to go.”

And that was that.

Afterwards, one resident said: “We feel massively let down.

“The entire village is shocked and disappointed.

“Why was he not charged with dangerous driving or failing to stop?

”And why, after all this time, was the only charge they actually brought, dropped?

“No one has told us anything.”

Newburytoday asked Wiltshire Police what had gone wrong.

A spokesman referred Newburytoday to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The CPS has not yet responded.

* IN 2023 the Newbury Weekly News revealed how a police blunder meant no one was ever charged over an horrific Hungerford car crash.

A motorist crashed into Snippit’s Barbers at 59, High Street, causing immense structural damage and resulting in a traffic light system which reportedly cost West Berkshire Council £100,000 in traffic management costs.

Thames Valley Police subsequently said: “A review into the matter has concluded and found that due to delays in the investigation, the statutory time limit had passed in relation to the incident and therefore proceedings into this cannot be continued.

“The officer in the case will be subject to reflective practice and their involvement in any future investigation will be strictly monitored.”