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'We've had to wait over six years... we have questions only family would ask'

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date01 April 2024
Publication titleHuddersfield Daily Examiner
Angela and Colin Dawson, whose 15-year-old daughter was killed when she was hit by a BMW as she waited at a bus stop in Moldgreen, had asked for the inquest to be delayed to allow them to get another barrister after their own had to withdraw for personal reasons

But the couple have now been told by a senior coroner that the case will not be adjourned, with several reasons cited, including the time and effort it has taken to identify an eight-day period for the inquest to take place.

Senior coroner Martin Fleming has told Angela and Colin that, while he has considerable sympathy for their situation, the hearing will go ahead as planned.

He said families were often unrepresented in coronial proceedings and the court had the benefit of counsel (a lawyer) to ensure all relevant questions are put to witnesses.

Angela and Colin said it was 'appalling' that the hearing couldn't be delayed for a few months.

Angela said: "We are devastated that the inquest is going ahead. We had asked for it to be relisted because the barrister withdrew at the last minute due to a change in her personal circumstances. But the Coroner had refused the request.

"This means all parties, including the Coroner, driver and driver's representative will have legal representation. It seems wrong that Katelyn and her family are being denied that opportunity.

"We have questions, that only her family would ask, and these need to be presented in a legal way. We are not legally trained. We have had to wait over six years to get to this point due to delays in the justice system. So it's appalling that they will not delay it a few months to enable us to get a replacement barrister."

In a letter to the family and other parties, Mr Fleming outlined the reasons for his decision not to delay the hearing...

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