Woman convicted of manslaughter after causing cyclist to fall into road can appeal sentence
Miranda Moore KC, who previously represented Grey, argued the sentence was "excessive" and that an autism diagnosis secured after her trial may have made a difference in her case.
Tuesday 19 March 2024 14:33, UK
A woman convicted of manslaughter after causing a cyclist to fall in front of an oncoming vehicle has been allowed to appeal her sentence.
Auriol Grey was found guilty of manslaughter and was jailed for three years in March 2023 over the death of retired midwife Celia Ward.
CCTV footage showed Grey shout at the 77-year-old to "get off the f* pavement" in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire in October 2020. Mrs Ward then fell into the road and died after she was struck by a car.
Three judges at the Court of Appeal granted Grey, who has cerebral palsy and partial blindness, the chance to appeal her conviction.
The court in London heard the 50-year-old was charged with unlawful act manslaughter - which requires an unlawful action to take place that caused death.
Grey's lawyers told appeal judges that no such action was considered by the jury at the trial.
Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Mrs Justice Yip and Mr Justice Calver, said: "We are satisfied that the ground of appeal now advanced is arguable."
The full appeal is expected to be heard in May. Grey is also able to make a bid for bail.
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A bid to reduce her sentence last May was rejected by different judges.
Miranda Moore KC, who previously represented Grey, argued the sentence was "excessive" and that an autism diagnosis secured after her trial may have made a difference in her case.
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Mr Justice Griffiths, sitting with Lord Justice William Davis and Judge Neil Flewitt, refused the appeal request and said it was "not arguably manifestly excessive".