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Home Sittingbourne News Article
The trial for the man accused of causing the death of a teenager, in a crash on the A249, has been postponed after crown court jurors tested positive for coronavirus.
Georgia Mann, 15, died after a van struck the rear side of the black Audi A1 Sport she was a passenger in.
Three jurors sitting on a murder trial at Maidstone Crown Court have tested positive for the virus.
Now the remaining nine have been ordered to self-isolate at home while experts from Public Health England inspect the building.
A decision will then be taken whether or not it is safe to continue with speeches and summing up - once the court has been ruled safe again.
The trial of former Ebbsfleet and Dartford footballer, Andre Trenton was due to start on Tuesday but it was called off just minutes before a jury was expected to be sworn in at the start of the hearing.
Judge Charles Gratwicke told lawyers and members of the family: “We cannot put the health of potential jurors at risk - nor, indeed, members of staff.
“The situation is regrettable, but there is nothing I can do.”
Audi A1 Sport driver Trenton was giving a lift to 15-year-old Georgia Mann in October 2018 along the A249, near Sittingbourne, when a collision happened.
The 21-year-old of Malvern Road, Gillingham, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing death by careless driving. A new date for the trial will be given later.
Others called for jury service were also sent home pending a decision by public health officials.
Benjamin Henley, who pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving earlier this year, is due to be sentenced at the end of Trenton’s trial.
The 44-year-old, of Illustrious Close in Chatham, has been given an interim driving ban until then.
The tragedy inspired friends and family to start a campaign urging people to get out of vehicles if they break down.
Georgia’s sister Sammy Law said: “We want to know people remember Georgia’s story and use it to know they need to get out of their car if it breaks down, make sure their car has fuel and is safe to drive and just to be as safe as they can be on the roads.”
To support the family’s campaign, visit ‘The Georgia Ellie Mann Movement’ on Facebook.
