Undertaker cleared of killing woman knocked down by hearse

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:


An undertaker has been cleared of causing the death of a woman - after he ran over her while driving a hearse.

Valerie Griffiths, 46, was knocked down by the hearse, driven by Nigel Annable, and dragged along backwards underneath it as she walked past a funeral home in July.

Annable had been charged with causing death by driving without due care and attention, but was cleared of all charges at Derby Crown Court on Thursday, after his lawyers argued that the incident had happened on private land, and not a public road.

Acquitted: Nigel Annable was cleared of causing the death of Valerie Griffiths in a funeral yard

Acquitted: Nigel Annable was cleared of causing the death of Valerie Griffiths in a funeral yard

Valerie, who lived next door to Gillots Funeral Service in Heanor, Derbys, was returning home with bags of shopping when she was hit by the Jaguar limousine.

She was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, but died shortly after.

Funeral firm driver Nigel Annable, 50, was cleared at Derby Crown Court

Funeral firm driver Nigel Annable, 50, was cleared at Derby Crown Court

The court spent two days debating the accident before Judge John Gosling ruled that it was not 'the proper decision' to continue with the prosecution.

He told Annable, 50: 'For what I consider are perfectly proper reasons in law, the prosecution has decided not to continue a case against you.

'I cannot offer any comfort at all to the family of Valerie Griffiths, who may find the decision taken by the prosecution hard to understand. All I can say is that it's the proper decision.

'Traffic laws only govern what happens on a road and not what happens on private land.'

Valerie's partner of two-and-a-half years, Adam Purdie, 41, said he did not bear a grudge against Annable.

Adam said: 'I cannot see this as anything other than a tragic accident.

"Prosecuting the driver doesn't benefit anybody.

'I don't want to hold any malice against him. He's probably suffering more than anyone.

'I'm pleased the court case is finally over - I feel that I can move on with my life now.'

Adam, who met Valerie, a drug rehabilitation worker for young people, over the internet, added: 'Valerie was a really great person, kind, friendly and outgoing and always spoke to everyone.

'Her death has left a hole in a lot of people's lives.'

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