THE trial of a driver accused of causing the death of Natasha Carruthers after losing control and crashing into a tree following a high-speed pursuit, has been aborted for the second time in as many weeks.
Nathan Charles Phair (23) from Castlebalfour Park, Lisnaskea denies this as well as causing grievous bodily injury to a second female passenger – both whilst having no licence or insurance He is further accused of possessing cocaine, with intent to supply.
Co-defendant, Padraig Toher (28) of Bawnboy, County Cavan who was in a BMW behind Phair, has accepted manslaughter and is not on trial.
Natasha, from Letterbreen died after her Vauxhall Corsa, in which she was the front seat passenger, struck a tree on the Newbridge Road near Derrylin shortly before midnight on 7 October 2017.
She was 23, and mother to a baby girl.
The collision was initially treated as a tragic accident but after forensic examination, police upgraded the investigation to murder.
Natasha, who had not been wearing a seat belt was thrown from the vehicle on impact, which then rolled over, trapping her underneath.
She suffered horrific injures and passed away at the scene.
A woman seated behind Natasha sustained serious injuries, as did Phair.
Following a previous decision to abort, a second trial got under way last week at Dungannon Crown Court, with evidence heard from police, medical and forensic witnesses.
However, on the first day of the second week, legal issues arose in the course of evidence from another Prosecution witness.
Judge Neil Rafferty QC decided under the circumstances he felt there was no option but to abort.
He ordered the jury to be discharged, pointing out it is “not something I do lightly.”
A new trial date is to be fixed next week.
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