M1 Lorry Drivers Sentenced, Convictions in Oxford Sex Abuse Case and Solicitor Neglect Trial Underway

March 26, 2018

The two lorry drivers involved in the crash on the M1 which killed eight people and seriously injured a further four were sentenced on Friday. Richard Masierak – who had parked his lorry in the slow lane of the M1 for 12 minutes – was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for offences of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. David Wagstaff – who had collided with a minibus which had come to rest behind Masierak’s lorry – was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment for offences of causing death by careless driving.

Oliver Saxby QC was leading for the Crown, assisted by Peter Shaw. They were instructed by Louise Attrill of Thames Chiltern Complex Case Unit.

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After over 100 hours in deliberation, the jury in the Oxford sex abuse trial returned their final verdicts last week. In all, eight men have been convicted of serious sexual offending against multiple complainants following a substantial grooming trial focussing on the behaviour of a group of young men in Oxford between 1998 and 2005. In all, there were 28 convictions for the following offences: Indecent Assault x 5, Multiple Incident Indecent Assault x 4, Rape x 6, Conspiracy to Rape x 4, Multiple Incident Rape x 4, False Imprisonment x 2 and Drugs Supply x 3. The trial, which began on 9th October, was one of the longest, most complex and sensitive of its kind and involved witnesses of the utmost vulnerability. Sentence is due to take place over 3 days on dates to be fixed.

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Oliver Saxby QC was leading for the Crown, assisted by Alan Gardner and Lauren Sales. They were instructed by Clare Tucker of Thames Chiltern Complex Case Unit.

The trial of Emma-Jane Kurtz is underway. A practising solicitor specialising in advising the elderly, Emma-Jane Kurtz faces a charge of wilful neglect in relation to her mother, Cecily, who paramedics found dead in the house she lived in with her daughter and husband, also a solicitor. The evidence called by the Crown suggests that Cecily Kurtz had been immobile for some months, confined to a sofa in the room where she was found when the emergency services were called. The Court has heard evidence from two defence experts, Professor Coid and Dr Bagshaw, assisting with Miss Kurt’z mild autism and the effect on her ability to act in the context of the family circumstances at the address. The trial is expected to finish some time next week.

News coverage of this case can found here

Oliver Saxby QC is leading for the Crown, instructed by Kirsty Allman of Thames Chiltern Complex Case Unit.