Timothy Hannam K.C. and Daniel White defended Brett Delaney, who appeared alongside John McDonald and Johnny McDonald at Worcester Crown Court; all charged with manslaughter and conspiracy to commit fraud.
The case arose from a scheme in which the defendants were said to have targeted vulnerable individuals, making false representations that roofing work was required when it was not.
When the police sought to intervene, John McDonald drove a van in which the co-defendants were passengers, away from officers in a high-speed pursuit lasting 12 minutes and involving the van deliberately ramming the pursuing police car. During the course of that pursuit, the vehicle was driven onto Aston Wood Golf Course, where it fatally struck Suzanne Cherry, aged 62, as she was playing golf with her husband.
The case resolved with John McDonald pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and the remaining two defendants, including Mr Delaney, pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud.
John McDonald received a sentence of 13 years and 6 months imprisonment and Mr Delaney received 28 months’ imprisonment.
Mr Hannam KC and Mr White were instructed by Stevens Solicitors, Union House, Longton, Stoke on Trent ST3 1NX