A passenger in the back of a Ford Escort van was killed when the vehicle ran into the back of a stationary transit van on the A12 Witham bypass, a court heard last Thursday.

The victim, 23-year-old Nirpal Singh, was in the back of the van where there were no seats or seat belts. "He was effectively rolling about in the back," said David Holborn, prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Paramjit Singh, 36, of Brocket Way, Chigwell, - unrelated to the victim - denied and was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving, but was convicted of careless driving.

He was fined £500, ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Mr Holborn said the accident happened at 7am on January 10 last year on the A12 at Witham.

A car had broken down on the Colchester-bound track of the dual carriageway and an AA patrol vehicle had stopped to give assistance.

An approaching articulated lorry stopped in the nearside lane and a transit van, driven by 42-year-old carpenter John Burrows, pulled up in the outside lane.

The transit was then struck from behind by the defendant's small green van.

Mr Burrows was pushed into the steering wheel and he sustained a black eye and cut above the eye.

The court heard that the defendant had another passenger in the front seat and Mr Singh was in the back.

When the defendant was interviewed by police he said he was driving between 50 and 60mph in the fast lane.

He saw the incident ahead and braked hard, but the vehicle swerved and a collision occurred.

Mr Holborn said the crash happened because the defendant was driving too fast for the slippery road conditions.

He was also responsible for the safety of his passengers and the manner in which Mr Singh was being carried was dangerous.

Angus Gloag, in mitigation, said Singh had lost a friend through the accident and he was genuinely remorseful.

Published Friday August 6, 2004

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