131 / 196
prosecution as "not unreasonable"—was between 50
and 55 m.p.h.
Extensive rust
His Mini was rolled over by the impact and was a
write-off. A policeman who examined the Mini said
in a statement that it had extensive body rusting and
maintenance had been of a low order.
The police report on Lord Hodson's car was that it
had no defects of any sort.
Daily Telegraph
(28th July, 1971)
JUDGE ANT I C I PATES NEW L AW ON W I DOW 'S
DAMAGES
Six days before a new law conies into force, Mr.
Justice Crichton at Manchester Assizes yesterday imple-
mented its main proviso—that a widow's re-marriage
prospects must be ignored in assessing damages for her
husband's death.
The Judge said : "I am unrepentant and am not
going to reduce her damages. I think it would be un-
just. If I have gone wrong the Court of Appeal can
put it right."
He awarded £10,895 with costs to Mrs. Susan Wil-
son of Warrington.
The husband, Mr. Michael Wilson, 20, a paper pro-
cess worker, was killed when his scooter was in head-
on collision with a car in October, 1969.
Mr. George Carman, QC , for the widow, said the
husband had been earning £20 net a week. The
couple lives modestly in a council house. Mr. Wilson
cycled to work, did not smoke and rarely drank. He
handed his wage packet unopened to his wife and took
only about £1 a week for his own needs.
Crucial question
The crucial question was how far, if at all, the
Judge should take into account the widow's marriage
prospects.
"In the past this matter has been taken into account
and has minimised damages. The repugnance of judges
to do so has had much to do with Parliament passing
the Act which comes into force on Monday."
Mr. Wilson said she had no intention of re-marrying
at present. She had not considered it since the death
of her husband.
The award was against the car driver, Miss Marie
Dagnall, of Morgan Avenue, Warrington, who admitt-
ed liability. The only issue before the court was the
amount of damages.
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133