Grieving parents ‘failed’ as driving charges dropped

The parents of a teenager killed after being hit by a car say they have “failed” after charges against the driver accused of killing him were dropped.

Harry Parker, 14, died after being hit by a car on Akers Way, Swindon, on November 25, 2022.

Ivy Mwangi, a caretaker from Redhouse, was charged with causing death by careless driving and causing death while driving without a license, but these charges fell last week due to lack of evidence.

Harry’s mother Kelly Parker said: “The only thing that kept me going was that we were going to get justice but now that’s all been thrown out the window, there’s nothing left.”

Ms Mwangi’s trial was expected to be held in the New Year but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said forensic tests did not show sufficient evidence “to suggest the driver was reckless”.

“We are the only people sentenced to life imprisonment,” said Adam Parker, Harry’s father.

“He was the glue that held us all together, now he’s gone we’re falling apart.”

Harry was walking to school when he was fatally injured outside Nova Hreod Academy, five days shy of his 15th birthday.

Mr and Mrs Parker said the CPS had now “failed” them and had “failed” Harry.

On 13 November they were summoned to an unexpected meeting at Gablecross Police Station.

“A CPS lawyer stood there and said, ‘There’s no easy way to say this, but the case is being dropped, it won’t go to trial, it won’t go to trial,'” Ms Parker said.

“We couldn’t accept this, all this time we were led to believe that we would get justice; with the click of a finger, everything was thrown aside.”

CPS Wessex deputy chief prosecutor Tim Cole said his thoughts were with Harry’s family and confirmed they had met with them to explain the decision.

“We keep each case under review to ensure there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction,” he said.

“We investigated this case in great detail, including seeking the advice of a forensic collision expert, and it became clear that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that this collision could reasonably have been avoided and therefore the driving was reckless.”

Mr Parker said he did not understand how the evidence had changed.

“Nothing has changed, he still doesn’t have a licence,” he said.

“Accidents happen, we understand that he was driving illegally and did not stop.”

Driving without a license is a summary offense, meaning charges must be brought within six months of the offense being committed. Now that this period has passed, Ms Mwangi will no longer be charged with driving without a licence.

The family are currently speaking to MP Will Stone and planning a petition to change the legislation around causing death while driving without a licence.

“The law is wrong in cases like this,” Mr. Parker said.

Causing death by driving without a license requires a maximum of two years of detention.

“We think this is crazy, death without a license is dangerous, otherwise why do we all get driver’s licenses,” he added.

Supt Guy Elkins, of Wiltshire Police, said: “We are aware of the distress this decision will cause to Harry’s family.

“Wiltshire Police will continue to work closely with the Parker family to ensure they are kept informed of any further developments in this case.”