Thomas Stern secures acquittals in case of London taxi driver accused of Covent Garden driving incident

The trial of a London taxi driver, James Manley, has ended with the jury returning not guilty verdicts on two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The jury at Southwark Crown Court heard how Mr Manley’s black cab had run out of control on Southampton Street at Covent Garden, late in the afternoon of 1st November 2017. The vehicle mounted pavements and collided with three pedestrians, leaving two with serious injuries; and for one, life-changing. Mr Manley disputed he had driven dangerously, stating the cab appeared to jolt forward and drive itself when he prepared to manoeuvre for a passing van. He had been panicked and fought to control the cab, believing it had malfunctioned.

The Prosecution alleged a misapplication of the cab’s pedals had caused it to accelerate for 11 seconds until it collided with a lamp-post. The cab was later examined by experts who found no obvious faults. The jury concluded Mr Manley had been careless and convicted him, unanimously, of the statutory, lesser alternative.

Thomas Stern represented the taxi-driver.

News coverage of this case is below:-

Evening Standard