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| MARTIN PARRY IS SERVING A 7 YEAR SENTENCE FOR CAUSING DEATH BY DANGEROUS DRIVING. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS HE WAS NOT DRIVING... This is a miscarriage of justice. On a Sunday evening in February, Martin and a group of friends were preparing to go to a presentation night for a five a side football tournament they had just won. Shortly before they were due to leave they had a phone call to say the presentation was cancelled. The four decided to go into Ashton for a night out. Martin had very little money so he said he would drive. Later that night, they drove home. Two of the group Ben Riley and Stephen Smith went home, but Martin and Arran (Stephen's brother) decided they were not ready to go in yet. Arran had some cannabis which he said he would share, but he did not have a lighter.They decided to go to the BP 24 hour petrol station in Stalybridge. This was about 11 0' clock at night, and at this point Martin was still driving. They drove to Ashton where Arran asked Martin if he could drive because he could not roll a joint, they did this by stopping the car, getting out of the car and walking round to change places, Arran was now driving. They drove to the BP petrol station and there is video evidence showing the car arriving at the petrol station, stopping at the shop entrance, and Arran alighting from the driver's side and going into the shop.The video evidence also shows Martin in the front passenger seat sitting slightly forward with his seat belt on. Arran is seen on the camera to come out of the shop and get straight into the drivers seat and drive off. As Martin and Arran begin to drive away, another car (Fiat Punto) enters the petrol station, this car is seen to drive straight out of the garage, cutting in front of Arran as he starts to drive off.The car with Arran and Martin in, follows, 6 seconds behind the other car. Again the video footage shows Martin in the same position, sitting slightly forward rolling the cannabis joint, with his seat belt on. Video evidence shows the movement of the car right up to it pulling out onto the road, it show a gradual movement and brake lights being applied as the car approaches the road, which has a slight slope down to the road. The car, with Martin and Arran in, then continues to the traffic lights approximately 30yds from the forecourt exit and stops alongside the other car (Fiat Punto) which had left the garage in front of them.They stop momentarily (the word of a witness) both cars were heard revving their engines and when the lights change they drive off. A few minutes later the car in which Arran and Martin are in loses control and hits first the kerb, then a lamp post and a shop doorway. Arran was thrown out through the rear passenger window and into the shop. He was unrestrained because he never wore a seatbelt (confirmed by his brother). The lamppost, which the car hit, then collapsed onto a pedestrian and his girlfriend. The man, sadly died at the scene of the accident and his girlfriend suffered serious leg injuries. The car then began to spin out of control up the road and came to rest outside some houses.To this day Martin cannot remember how he got out of the car: he only remembers running up and down the road looking for his friend. When he found Arran, inside the shop, Arran reassurred Martin he was alright. At that point he was awake and talking. Martin asked about the other man and was assured he also was also alright. At this point people who had been in the pub were milling about and some of these gave evidence at the trial. In extreme shock and frightened, Martin then decided to say he was the driver. He suddenly realized that Arran would not have been insured on the car, and believing Arran to be alright they could sort out the details in the morning. Everyone injured, including Martin was taken to hospital. Tragically Arran died in the early hours of the morning. Can you imagine what it was like to find out two people had died. one of which was your best friend? How do you tell everyone you know, that you were not the driver without being accused of covering up for yourself? WHAT A TERRIBLE POSITION TO BE IN! The next morning All the family came to the hospital where Martin had been detained over night, his injuries were only minor due to the fact that he wore a seatbelt. One of the first visitors was Stephen, Arran’s brother. Martin and Stephen were left alone for about l5/20 minutes to share their grief. They hugged and cried and talked. This was observed by family members and nursing staff because the room had windows all round. Martin told Stephen the truth that Arran had, in fact been driving. Martin's words were "YOUR KID WAS DRIVING". Stephen's reply was "I knew something was wrong (which he later denied). It was at this point that Martin decided that Arran’s name had to be protected, because of the insurance and the cannabis, and so a very naïve and immature young man sealed his own fate. Later when Martin told the truth it was just as predicted, he was accused of covering for himself. The Prosecution Case
The Defence Case
Conclusion A very tragic accident has turned into a nightmare. A vulnerable and naïve young man is suffering for what in other circumstances would have been a noble deed. MARTIN IS INNOCENT PLEASE SUPPORT US EMAIL your support to james.parry4@btopenworld.com |
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