Post by Madhatter on Jan 16, 2009 21:52:43 GMT
A robbery victim saw one of her alleged attackers cleared on Tuesday because the judge said she was too honest to give evidence.
Mother-of-two Denise Dawson was praised as 'honest, utterly decent and brave' and awarded a £250 payout by Judge Jamie Tabor after appearing in the witness box.
But the 36-year-old, who suffered a broken nose when a gang hurled a brick through her car windscreen, was told the trial was being halted.
Her evidence had been so impressive the jury would believe her rather than defendant, Liam Perks, the judge said.
Last night, driving instructor Mrs Dawson said: 'I feel very upset – what more do they want? I can't sit there with a camera. How much more evidence can I get?'
Perks was accused of being part of a gang that surrounded Mrs Dawson's Ford Focus as she gave 26-year-old Jodie****nson a driving lesson in Bristol in December 2007.
After smashing the windscreen, the gang stole her laptop and a bag containing £80. One of the gang punched her in the face before they all fled.
She identified Perks, 20, as one of the robbers last February, telling police: 'That's him, it's number seven.'
She added: 'I know that face. It made my stomach go over. That's his face. He was really close to me as well.'
At Tuesday's trial, Judge Tabor said: 'Denise Dawson was a particularly impressive witness because she showed courage, clarity of thought and was undoubtedly honest.'
But he told Bristol Crown Court it was her word against Perks' and that was not enough to support a conviction.
He added: 'The jury may lend more weight to her evidence than her facts allow. You cannot be sure she got it right.'
It then emerged that Perks had admitted conspiracy to burgle for his part in a gang stealing and selling motorbikes and vintage cars.
Mrs Dawson described the decision as 'a kick in the teeth'.
Victim Support added: 'Witnesses and victims expect the court to look after them.'
I promise to tell the truth , but not the whole and and nothing but the truth!.
Mother-of-two Denise Dawson was praised as 'honest, utterly decent and brave' and awarded a £250 payout by Judge Jamie Tabor after appearing in the witness box.
But the 36-year-old, who suffered a broken nose when a gang hurled a brick through her car windscreen, was told the trial was being halted.
Her evidence had been so impressive the jury would believe her rather than defendant, Liam Perks, the judge said.
Last night, driving instructor Mrs Dawson said: 'I feel very upset – what more do they want? I can't sit there with a camera. How much more evidence can I get?'
Perks was accused of being part of a gang that surrounded Mrs Dawson's Ford Focus as she gave 26-year-old Jodie****nson a driving lesson in Bristol in December 2007.
After smashing the windscreen, the gang stole her laptop and a bag containing £80. One of the gang punched her in the face before they all fled.
She identified Perks, 20, as one of the robbers last February, telling police: 'That's him, it's number seven.'
She added: 'I know that face. It made my stomach go over. That's his face. He was really close to me as well.'
At Tuesday's trial, Judge Tabor said: 'Denise Dawson was a particularly impressive witness because she showed courage, clarity of thought and was undoubtedly honest.'
But he told Bristol Crown Court it was her word against Perks' and that was not enough to support a conviction.
He added: 'The jury may lend more weight to her evidence than her facts allow. You cannot be sure she got it right.'
It then emerged that Perks had admitted conspiracy to burgle for his part in a gang stealing and selling motorbikes and vintage cars.
Mrs Dawson described the decision as 'a kick in the teeth'.
Victim Support added: 'Witnesses and victims expect the court to look after them.'
I promise to tell the truth , but not the whole and and nothing but the truth!.
