[lfc-news] Finnan may face death drive charge - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 14 June 2005
Finnan may face death drive charge
By Kate Mansey, Daily Post Staff

LIVERPOOL FC footballer Stephen Finnan has been arrested on suspicion of
causing death by dangerous driving, it emerged yesterday.

Finnan was arrested more than three months after being involved in a
collision in his black Range Rover on West Derby Road, Tuebrook, which
resulted in the death of a pensioner.

But details of the police action only came to light yesterday during an
adjourned inquest hearing into the death of the 81-year-old pedestrian.

During the hearing at Liverpool Coroner's Court, it emerged that the
footballer was arrested after being summonsed to a Merseyside police
station.

He was subsequently released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The 29-year-old defender was arrested on April 11 following the incident
on January 27 this year.

He had been driving away from the city centre on the east bound
carriageway of West Derby Road when the accident happened.

Henry Stuart Nelson, 81, a retired merchant seaman from the Elm Park
area, was the pedestrian and was crossing the road near Boundary Lane.
He died five weeks after the incident.

Yesterday Liverpool Coroner Andre Rebello described Mr Nelson's death as
"a tragic loss".

He added: "Mr Nelson received very severe head injuries as a result of
the collision and was taken to the Royal University Hospital where he
remained until his death on March 3.

"We must wait to see whether serious criminal charges are brought before
continuing with the inquest. It depends on what is decided at that time."

The inquest had opened into the case in March following a postmortem by
Dr Timothy Hellwell.

Neither Finnan nor any of Mr Nelson's family members attended the
inquest yesterday, but a representative from Mr Finnan's insurance
company was present. The hearing was adjourned until July 4.

A Collision Investigator Report was launched following the accident. The
findings are currently being considered by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The player is due to answer bail at a Merseyside police station on June
29 where it is expected he will find out whether police will proceed
with their inquiry.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said last night: "A 29-year-old man
from Liverpool was arrested on April 11 on suspicion of causing death by
dangerous driving. He was bailed pending further enquiries, to appear at
a police station on Wednesday June 29.

"The CPS are considering the case - in the meantime, the inquest into
the death of the 81-year-old has been adjourned.

"The investigation into the collision is continuing. The driver of the
car has been co-operating fully with the police." Last night's news of
the arrest means Finnan had the possibility of criminal proceedings
hanging over him throughout the European Championships which Liverpool won.

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