A driver accused of causing the death of university student Hope Starsmore is to face trial after her parents challenged a CPS decision to drop the case. Hope's parents had asked for a review of the case after the Crown Prosecution Service gave notice that they intended to offer no evidence against Rebecca Porter.
Miss Porter will now face a trial on April 17 after a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was told on Friday (January 20) by prosecutor Fergus Malone that the case will now progress to trial. Miss Porter, who was represented by defence barrister Leanne Summers, was granted unconditional bail until her trial.
Judge Simon Hirst told her: "The prosecution intend to continue with your prosecution. Your trial is due to take place on 17 April."
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Speaking after the hearing Hope's parent, Helen,47, and Pete Starsmore, 46, welcomed the decision to continue with the case. Helen said: "We are happy that we are being listened to and that it is going to trial.
"The family is being strong together and all we want is justice for Hope." Hope, 20, from Skegness, Lincs, was making only her second trip to Nottingham Trent University when her Toyota Yaris was involved in a collision with a Ford Focus.
Miss Porter, 33, also from Skegness, was charged with causing Hope's death by dangerous driving and was due to stand trial in April. However the Crown Prosecution Service met with Hope's family before Christmas and said they intended to offer no evidence against Miss Porter.
Miss Porter's case was listed at Lincoln Crown Court in December for the Crown Prosecution Service to offer no evidence. However Hope's parents submitted a letter to the court stating they wished to apply for a Judicial Review of the Crown Prosecution Service decision.
After being given a short adjournment to consider their position, prosecution barrister Michael Cranmer-Brown said Hope's family were entitled to a "victim's right to review" the Crown Prosecution Service decision to offer no evidence.
A hearing was listed at Lincoln Crown Court on January 20 for the court to be informed of the Crown Prosecution Service decision. Miss Porter of Cottesmore Close, Skegness, had previously pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Hope Starsmore on October 7, 2020, by dangerous driving on the A158 at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.
Lincolnshire Police said the collision was reported at 8.16am and involved a Toyota Yaris and a Ford Focus. Hope, who had moved to Skegness from Corby in Northamptonshire, died in hospital eight days after the crash despite multiple operations.
She had just started a course in medical science at Nottingham Trent University and wanted to become a paramedic. Due to coronavirus, she had decided to live at home in Skegness and study.
She also opted to commute to Nottingham once a week and the collision occurred on only her second trip. She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the crash and placed in a medically-induced coma.
Her brother and her partner had been travelling with her on their way to Nottingham Trent University and both received serious injuries.
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