Death crash teenager case dropped

Four not guilty verdicts were recorded against Joe Marriott (right)

A teenage driver accused of racing another car which crashed and killed four people has been cleared at Nottingham Crown Court.

The case against Joe Marriott, 19, of King Street, Pinxton, Derbys, was dropped on the second day of his trial.

The prosecuting counsel said his case against Mr Marriott was not backed up by the evidence given in court.

The judge discharged the jury, entering not guilty verdicts on the four charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

It had been alleged that Joe Marriott raced his friend Adam Revell from traffic lights on the A38 Kingsmill Road East near Sutton in Ashfield on 30 October 2004.

After overtaking another vehicle at speed, Mr Revell car's crashed into an oncoming car, killing Wilfred and Irene Walker, 85 and 80, and Doris Billis, 79. Mr Revell's front seat passenger Daniel Bott, 18, also died.

Prosecutor Michael Auty said: "That which I opened to the jury has failed to materialise in the witness box."

Adam Revell, 18, of Town Street, Pinxton, has admitted causing death by dangerous driving and will be sentenced on 13 October.