In an unexpected twist, Emily Scott, a 26-year-old marketing manager at Manchester United, has managed to clear her name of a drink-driving charge.
This victory came after prosecutors failed to demonstrate that she was over the legal alcohol limit.
The case unfolded at Chester Magistrates Court, where Scott was seen tearfully embracing her mother after the charges were dropped.
Legal Flaws and Delays
Scott, who had been involved in a car accident where her VW Polo ended up in a ditch, had hired the esteemed lawyer Phillip Lucas to handle her case.
Lucas, known for his expertise in overturning drink-driving charges, criticized the prosecution for submitting an expert report over two months late and with crucial evidence missing.
Additionally, the defence raised concerns about the identification of the driver at the time of the crash.
Issues with Evidence and Procedure
Scott had failed breath and blood tests after the accident, which initially indicated that she was above the legal limit for alcohol.
However, she argued that she had a head injury from the accident and hadn’t received medical treatment before speaking with police.
Magistrates dismissed the expert report provided by the prosecution as inadmissible, citing procedural errors and the failure to meet submission deadlines.
Chairman Suzanne Jones expressed frustration over the lack of compliance with procedural rules, stating that the prosecution’s evidence was deemed inadmissible due to the late submission.
“The time limit for submissions has not been complied with,” Jones noted.
“The missing information is only available now, which is too late.”
Scott’s Background and Career
Emily Scott, who lives in Huxley near Tarporley, has a solid academic background.
She earned a first-class honours degree in management studies from Leeds University in 2021 and excelled academically at the £15,780-a-year Kings School in Chester.
She began her journey with Manchester United as a marketing intern in 2019 before transitioning to a full-time role in 2022.
Incident and Legal Proceedings
Scott was arrested on November 6 last year, shortly after police received reports of an accident just a short distance from her home.
Initial breath tests revealed she had 66 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath (the legal limit is 35 micrograms), and a blood test showed 143 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood (the legal limit is 80 milligrams).
Despite these results, Scott pleaded not guilty, claiming the initial breath test had a ‘false reading’ and that the lack of medical treatment invalidated the process.
Phillip Lucas argued that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had failed to adhere to guidelines by submitting their expert report late and without proper explanation.
“The Crown should have served its case and expert evidence promptly,” Lucas stated.
“The late submission of evidence without an application for permission was a significant issue.”
Prosecution’s Response
Prosecutor Andrew Sinker acknowledged the issue of late submissions, explaining that the missing information had only been provided on the day of the hearing.
He mentioned that while he couldn’t specifically account for the delay, the defence had received most of the necessary material.
The Crown Prosecution Service later apologized for the delay and stated they are investigating the reasons behind it.
What’s Next?
With the charges dismissed, Emily Scott can now move forward from this legal challenge.
The case underscores the importance of timely evidence submission and adherence to procedural rules in the justice system.
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