Bus Driver Charged In Baroness Crash Will "Never" Be In Court

The driver of the bus that plunged 30ft from the road near Bath will "never" attend court to face charges against him, his lawyer has stated.

Norman Markus, a German national, was driving Baroness at the time of the crash.

Markus' attorney told Bath magistrates that the summons served on his client to attend court was not valid because it was served in Germany. Court officials are working with police to see how to proceed with the case.

Several members of the US band were seriously injured in the crash, leading to the band to continue on without two of the members.

Mr. Markus was supposed to be in court for a preliminary hearing today (Friday) but didn't show.

The court said in February he was to be charged with dangerous driving, using a vehicle with defective brakes and breaching a 7.5 tonne weight limit.

It said he was also facing charges of taking insufficient daily and weekly rest periods, using a vehicle in a condition likely to cause danger of injury, and not having the correct licence entitlement to drive the coach involved in the crash.

But Mr Turner told magistrates that if Mr Markus chose not to attend court "nothing can be done" because the summons was not served in the UK.

"If he ever re-enters the country a summons can be served upon him," he added.

"Our position is the summons is a nullity and he has no reason to attend."

Mr. Turner added: "You can't issue a warrant for his arrest unless he re-enters the UK and a summons is served on him.

"The problem is he's not going to come to this court. How are you going to get him here? I say I'm afraid you can't."


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Tags:  Baroness    

Jason Fisher    May 10, 2013