Not proven

A Scottish jury has returned a verdict of ‘not proven’ in the trial of a motorist accused of killing a cyclist while she was taking part in a charity cycling ride to commemorate her late husband.

The verdict is unique to Scots law and provides a third option where the judge or jury - depending upon which is deciding the case - are not satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case sufficiently for a conviction to be returned, but at the same time are not convinced enough of the defendant’s innocence to deliver a not guilty verdict.