|
Family's grief over taxi driver trial collapse
A TAXI driver’s widow today recalled the words on her husband’s grave as his alleged fare-dodger killer was cleared.
The epitaph for 72-year-old family man Ray Quigley reads: "Heroic in life, Valiant in death."
Retired nurse Dorothy told how she and her family suffered while hours away from getting a verdict in the manslaughter case.
Judge David Hodson was forced to discharge the Newcastle Crown Court jury after a juror admitted he had made his own inquiries and discussed his findings with other members of the panel.
Defendant Dale Patterson was then formally cleared of all charges after Judge Hodson said the prosecution case was fatally flawed.
Dorothy, 69, was forced to listen to a defence case which had attempted to tarnish Ray’s reputation and motives for his struggle with the defendant.
After Mr Patterson, 18, of Manila Street, Sunderland, was found not guilty of manslaughter, Dorothy, of Nursery Lane, Felling, Gateshead, told of her wish to carry on living without hate, in memory of her husband.
"We’ve been through hell and back these last few days. No-one has slept and we wanted justice for Ray at the end of the case," she said, surrounded at home with cards from neighbours and friends.
"Hate is not a word we use in this family. But things said in court during the trial have twisted and distorted everything Ray stood for.
"I was comforted towards the end when the defence barrister admitted words said by Ray in the situation could have been misinterpreted by the defendant.
"My Ray would only want what was right and just in this world. He was a good, honourable, hard-working man. If someone had got into his taxi and expected to be taken somewhere, he would have naturally wanted his payment. He would have even taken someone to a cashpoint to get the fare if necessary."
Mr Quigley, a cabbie for nearly 40 years, died from a heart attack in the early hours of September 2 last year.
Mr Patterson had decided to take a cab when he missed his last train home after attending a skateboarding event in Newcastle’s Exhibition Park.
The teenager was accused of trying to flee Mr Quigley’s taxi without paying his fare from Newcastle to Sunderland.
He was then alleged to have been involved in a violent struggle with the grandfather, who collapsed and died from a heart attack.
It was said in court Mr Patterson was then seen to kick Mr Quigley in the face while he was on the ground and allegedly shouted he hoped he "died".
Dorothy said she didn’t feel any animosity to the juror who caused the case to collapse.
Dorothy added: "By this stage we had already been sickened by things which had been said during the case in which the defendant implied Ray was trying to rape him.
"We as a family, and everyone who knew Ray, including taxi driver colleagues, had absolute belief this was blatantly disgusting and untrue.
"Ray had lost his life doing his job, and yet his character was being besmirched. It was horrible to hear. The strength of this family kept us together. And I can’t thank everyone enough who rallied round and came to our support.
"If only Patterson or someone from his family had shown some remorse for Ray’s death and had the decency to say so, but that never happened."
The widow said she has been comforted by the calls and words of sympathy from friends and strangers.
"I have my children and grandchildren around me. Hatred eats you up inside, and Ray wouldn’t have wanted that for me or his family."
Her son Shaun said: "We’ve all cried and our mother has remained dignified and strong, giving us courage to go on. She is a remarkable woman.
"My wife, Julie, has also been a marvellous help to my mam and me. She was an absolute rock following my dad’s death and has been an even greater help during this incredibly stressful and hurtful time.
"I would also like to thank her employers, Choice Care of Washington, who have allowed her all the time off to be at my side."
Dorothy added: "Ray was a gentle, modest man. He would help anyone - he was respected and loved. He still enjoyed the social side of driving, especially meeting different people. That’s why he didn’t want to retire.
"I would like to thank the police team, especially Mick Paterson and John Cowell for their fantastic efforts. Also witness support and all the management at the firms where my children work for allowing them to have time off."
The close-knit Catholic family are seeking solace in their faith. Ray’s children, Shaun, 48, Maria, 42, Danny, 40, and youngest son Pat, 37, and grandaughter, Jessica, 13, are comforting Dorothy.
Mr Quigley had worked as a cabbie in Newcastle for decades, originally for the Slaters firm, but had, since the mid-1980s, been registered with Newcastle City Council.
Dorothy met Ray when she was 18 and he was 23 at a local pub. Everyone knew them as a devoted couple and Ray as a devout churchgoer and family man.
Newcastle Crown Court had heard six days of evidence at an estimated cost to the public purse of more than £60,000 - not including additional legal fees for defence and prosecution lawyers.
But Judge Hodson was forced to halt the trial on Monday after finding out about the juror’s inquiries.
_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin
|
Login
Register
FAQ
