Coroner will not hear evidence of driver’s killer

Jul 9 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

A SERIAL driving menace is unlikely to be called to account for his actions which killed a family man.

Billy Forrest’s family had declared they did not want Barry Taylor to appear at his inquest.

The hearing began yesterday into the death of Mr Forrest, killed when a stolen pick-up truck driven by Taylor, 23, ploughed into his Peugeot. Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle said Taylor was “unlikely” to be called to give evidence because he had declared himself to be an unwilling witness and also because Mr Forrest’s family had not wanted him present.

Mr Forrest, 52, from Ashford Grove, North Walbottle, Newcastle, was driving along the A1(M) at Bowburn, Durham, on his way to work as a printer in Darlington on July 18 last year when the Mitsubishi pick-up truck driven by Taylor and pursued by five police vehicles, hit his Peugeot, killing him instantly.

Taylor was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison after he admitted causing the death of Mr Forrest by dangerous driving. He also admitted burglary.

The inquest jury at Chester-le-Street was shown film footage of the terrifying moments leading to Mr Forrest’s death. The recording from a police helicopter showed Taylor weaving in and out of police cars before crossing the central reservation into Mr Forrest, who was driving in the opposite direction.