You will not decide whether she is guilty or not guilty

JUDGE DIRECTS JURY OVER FACT-FINDING TRIAL AFTER DEATH OF BOY

-  AMY WALKER

A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy was killed as he was riding his bike after a woman ‘failed to concentrate’ on the road, a trial heard.

Jenefer Ebosele, 34, of Keston Avenue, Blackley, is facing a fact-finding trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after she was found unfit to stand trial.

Jurors must decide if she did the act alleged against her, namely causing the death of Kidus Wondwosen by driving without due care and attention. They will not be tasked with returning guilty or not guilty verdicts.

The court heard that Kidus was riding his bicycle near to his home before being hit by Ms Ebosele’s Vauxhall Meriva in August 2020. He suffered ‘catastrophic’ injuries and was pronounced dead within about an hour of the collision in Hulme.

Jurors were told that Ms Ebosele is unfit to stand trial due to a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Strees Disorder.

Presiding judge, Mark Savill, said: “You will not decide whether she is guilty or not guilty. You are going to decide whether she did the act or not.

“The verdicts will either be that she did the act charged, or not. There will be no defendant in court. You will not hold that against her and not give her extra sympathy.”