Henry Bett trial: PCC son guilty of death crash

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-33607877

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The son of Norfolk's police and crime commissioner (PCC) has been found guilty of killing a woman in a crash.

Farmer Henry Bett's tractor crushed a Fiat people carrier being driven by mother-of-two Rebecca Brown, 43, on a country road on 4 December 2013.

Bett, 26, of Hall Lane, Thornham, the son of PCC Stephen Bett, had denied causing death by dangerous driving.

Peterborough Crown Court heard he may have experienced a "comedown" after taking cocaine several days earlier.

Judge Peter Murphy warned Bett a prison sentence was "extremely likely".

'Catastrophically' injured

The court heard the crash happened on the West Acre Road near Mrs Brown's home village of Castle Acre.

Bett had described rushing to the car to find Mrs Brown "catastrophically" injured.

Her son, who was 17 at the time and a front seat passenger, was shouting and trying to help her.

Bett, her son and members of the public tried to save her, but she died at the scene.

The prosecution said Bett was speeding, driving in the middle of the road and failed to brake.

Giving evidence, Bett said he believed he had been driving at the 20mph speed limit for tractors.

He said he was horrified that Mrs Brown had died, but added: "I do not believe I was driving dangerously."

'Not experienced comedown'

Bett said he had taken cocaine "on occasions". The last time before the collision was on 30 November, he added.

Asked by Lawrence Bruce, defending, if he had been under the influence of cocaine or its after-effects at the time of the incident, he said: "No."

He added: "I have never experienced a comedown effect."

Bett looked shocked as the verdict was delivered while Mrs Brown's widower sobbed in the public gallery.

Stephen Bett, who attended much of the trial, was not in court.

Prosecutor Simon Wilshire told the court Bett is being investigated for an allegation of speeding and careless driving in his Land Rover on 20 June, about six weeks before the trial began.

Bett also has three speeding endorsements from 2011.

The judge adjourned sentencing until 20 August and imposed an interim driving disqualification.