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Police refer Emma Way "#bloodycyclists" case to Crown Prosecution Service

Motorist had boasted on Twitter about hitting cyclist, provoking a media storm

Norfolk Constabulary have passed the case of Emma Way, the woman who boasted on Twitter of having knocked a cyclist off his bike, to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), reports the BBC.

On Sunday 19 May, the 21-year-old trainee accountant posted a message on Twitter which read: “Definitely knocked a cyclist off his bike earlier – I have right of way he doesn't even pay road tax!" complete with the hashtag #bloodycyclists.

The tweet was quickly deleted but not before it had been screengrabbed and gone viral on Twitter as well as coming to the attention of the police.

In the ensuing days, the story hit the national headlines, including wider discussion of the issue of “road tax,” which hasn’t existed since the 1930s.

The cyclist involved, Toby Hockley, who had been taking part in the Boudicca Sportive, said he was “lucky to be alive” after being hit by the wing mirror of Ms Way’s car and catapulted into a hedge.

In a blog post for road.cc last month, he reflected on his experience of being at the centre of the media storm that followed the incident, as well as outlining how it had inspired the launch of a #bloodycyclist jersey, t-shirt and bidon to raise money for East Anglian Air Ambulance.

A website, Bloodycyclist.com, has also been set up with the aim of “highlighting the issues of road use and campaigning to make the roads safer.”

Ms Way was suspended from her job as a trainee accountant while police continued their investigations. The BBC said that her employers had declined to confirm whether she has been reinstated.

It is not known what potential charges the CPS may be considering.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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16 comments

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edster99 | 10 years ago
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Glad to hear that the more pessimistic amongst the posts above have been proved wrong.

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Colin Peyresourde | 10 years ago
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Is she still working at the accountants?

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stefv | 10 years ago
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Whether the CPS proceed should proceed with a prosecution or not, I am not in a position to say, but I really hope the furore around the incident has caused Emma to become a more mature and considerate driver with more thoughts for the consequences of neglectful driving.

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mrmo replied to stefv | 10 years ago
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mckechan wrote:

I really hope the furore around the incident has caused Emma to become a more mature and considerate driver

I hope she has become an ex driver!!!!!

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Sniffer | 10 years ago
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Best to wait on the outcome before deciding?

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mattyb95 | 10 years ago
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Re 1st post, don't think he said he went over the bonnet, more she clipped him with her wing mirror which caused him to lose balance and career off in to a hedge so quite plausible. Wasn't there another cyclist with him though so could be about more than just he said/she said with another witness?

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Gkam84 replied to mattyb95 | 10 years ago
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mattyb95 wrote:

Re 1st post, don't think he said he went over the bonnet, more she clipped him with her wing mirror which caused him to lose balance and career off in to a hedge so quite plausible. Wasn't there another cyclist with him though so could be about more than just he said/she said with another witness?

I'm pretty sure he did say something about the bonnet, but I can't be bothered finding it, because this is going to be another CPS fuck up.

I did find my comment on it though

"He landed on the bonnet and then in the hedge, but was still upright on his bike"

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nostromo | 10 years ago
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Been kicked up to the CPS and will probably die there.

And it probably should too. There really is no evidence apart from he said/she said. Rider didn't report it and has made no formal complaint. Yes, she's a moron for tweeting about it, but unless being anti-cyclists is a legitimate hate crime I can't see it going anywhere. The only thing I can see being a problem is failure to stop and I'm not sure you need the CPS for that.

Far more satisfactory is the trashing of her intelligence, reputation and career propects from the backlash. Plus, the positive aspects for cycling arising from the publicity.

A hefty fine and driving ban for Emma Wray would be nice of course, but I just can't see it happening.

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Ush replied to nostromo | 10 years ago
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There really is no evidence apart from he said/she said.

Except in this case she and he both agree on what happened... she knocked a bloody cyclist off his bicycle.

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Pitstone Peddler replied to nostromo | 10 years ago
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nostromo wrote:

Far more satisfactory is the trashing of her intelligence, reputation and career propects from the backlash. Plus, the positive aspects for cycling arising from the publicity.

Yup, good point.

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alronald | 10 years ago
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Cue that brief of hers in his dodgy suits doing a tour of the TV studios with his "Poor Emma" routine. No doubt will not proceed because all the publicity would prevent her getting a fair trial

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mrmo | 10 years ago
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sweepstake, how many weeks till the CPS throw it out for lack of evidence.

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ScotchPoth (not verified) | 10 years ago
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The Crown Prosecution Service? what a joke,yet another unaccountable judiciary quango totally lacking in any transparency or consultation with the community or victims

Dont forget,the budget for the judicial system has been slashed by billions,this encompasses everything from the police,courts,probation,prisons,cps
Their approach will be based not on justice but is it prudent and affordable to go ahead with the case within the budget they have
I dont expect this case to go to trial but fully expect a police caution particulary with the contempt with which the law holds cyclists in this shitty country
Its a farce

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antonio | 10 years ago
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Hooray! more headlines for the stupid woman.

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cidermart | 10 years ago
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Police can refer but the CPS can still decline to take it up or pursue the lesser charge of ‘who cares it’s only a cyclist’. Still not holding my breath.

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SideBurn | 10 years ago
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Blimey!!! I may have to take back my childish comment posted elsewhere! Maybe there is justice..... but the riders story? He went over the bonnet, through a hedge and still stayed up right? Was that what he said?

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