Almost three years on since the crash which took her life, there may finally be a verdict to give closure to Claudia Williams’s family.
Miss Williams passed away after a collision in School Lane, Guilden Sutton, on June 24, 2013.
Her boyfriend, 23-year-old Richard Bromley, was at the wheel when his Vauxhall Corsa left the road and hit a tree.
Bromley, of Daniell Way, Great Boughton, is charged with causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. He faces an additional count without the stipulation on alcohol in relation to the same incident.
With the trial at Warrington Crown Court into its third week, the jury retired to consider their verdict on Wednesday (May 25) and will continue their deliberations tomorrow after being sent hom for the day this afternoon.
Counsel gave their closing speeches to the jury on Tuesday.
Read more: Full recap of updates from Richard Bromley trial on Tuesday
They each said it was a ‘tragic’ case and asked the panel to look at the evidence dispassionately.
The prosecution claim a combination of Bromley’s drinking, speeding above the 30mph limit and the fact he was distracted by an argument with Miss Williams, who was from Hoole, makes him responsible for her death.
He has admitted drinking three and a half pints of lager before he got in the car, but says his girlfriend shoved his arm which caused the car to jolt to the left.
Benjamin Myers, prosecuting, said the 23-year-old’s defence does not excuse his actions on that warm summer night.
He said: “Richard Bromley admitted he had taken a level of alcohol that you know, never mind what he says, increases the chance of a mistake.
“We are not in a part of the world where nearly four pints doesn’t have an effect.
“You might think drinking that amount is actually a very significant factor. You can use your common sense.
“Richard Bromley said it’s fine though, he said it himself yesterday in evidence.”
Read more: Richard Bromley would do 'anything' to change the night Claudia Williams was killed, trial hears
Mr Myers added the crash happened when the argument between the couple ‘reached its peak’.
The prosecution said: “What a coincidence this push happens on the night he has been drink driving, was speeding and caught up in an argument.
“None of that excuses Richard Bromley from driving without care and attention. He has stuck with that push, he would not admit any fault even down to the last part.”
Phillip Lucas QC, defending, called into question the technical evidence the prosecution had put forward and said it could not be trusted.
He said: “It is the defence case this crash was caused by a push to the arm which could not have been foreseen by a competent, safe driver so there’s no question of careless driving in this case.
“Not only have the Crown failed to disprove Mr Bromley’s case, but the more evidence they gained supported what he said.
“We suggest alcohol is just not relevant, there’s no evidence to suggest it caused the crash.
“Speed is simply not relevant. Even if he was travelling above 30mph once the car left the road there’s nothing Richard Bromley could have done to avoid hitting the tree.
“Is there any evidence to suggest the argument caused the crash? None whatsoever.”
Judge Neil Flewitt QC summed up all of the evidence for the jury on Wednesday.
Bromley denies both charges against him. The trial continues tomorrow when the jury will resume their deliberations.
