Witness flees Yardie trial
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Old Bailey trial collapsed when the victim of an alleged murder attempt went on the run rather than give evidence against a Yardie hitman. In the first of two planned trials, Ricardo "Rocky" Hinds, 26, had already been jailed for life for shooting dead a rival drug baron.
The court began a second high-security trial yesterday but it collapsed within 10 minutes when Jonathon Laidlaw, for the prosecution, said that despite "extensive inquiries" the alleged victim, Carl Spencer, 28, of Wolverhampton, had not been found.
The prosecution then formally offered no evidence against Hinds and his alleged accomplice James Dixon, 22.
Judge Richard Hawkins QC ordered "not guilty" verdicts to be entered and Dixon, of Handsworth, Birmingham, walked smiling from court.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments