The Crown Prosecution Service is working out its next move after being told the German driver of a rock band's coach which crashed near Bath will not be returning to the UK to face driving charges.
Norman Markus had been due before Bath Magistrates yesterday to face charges in connection with last year's incident in which the band Baroness's tour bus plunged off the road at Monkton Combe.
Several band members were injured in the crash.
But the court was told by Markus's lawyer that his client would not be appearing because the summons issued was invalid as it had been served in Germany.
In such driving cases, defendants are summonsed to appear before a court, rather than charged, with the charges put to them in court.
Markus was facing a string of charges including not taking enough rest breaks, dangerous driving, using a vehicle with defective brakes and breaching the road's weight limit.
The case was adjourned.
In a statement CPS reviewing lawyer Andrew Walters said they were committed to bringing Markus to justice.
"Mr Markus was allowed to return to Germany to assist his recovery from the injuries sustained from the crash. We fully expected him to return to face the charges against him and until today had received no indication from the defence to the contrary. The CPS, police and courts will now work together to establish how best to proceed but there is no suggestion of a discontinuance at this stage."
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