A man accused of fleeing the country 20 years ago to avoid charges over a double fatal car crash has walked free from Court, thanks to the dead couple's daughter.

John Cockroft, 63, of Knoll View, Baildon Green, Baildon, was charged in connection with a crash which killed Rawdon couple Frederick and Marion Bennett.

But he walked free from Bingley Magistrates' Court yesterday when the court agreed with the daughter, Barbara, not to pursue the case.

Afterwards Barbara Bennett declined to elaborate on her decision saying: "It is still too painful for me to comment."

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Cockroft denied that he had fled the country to avoid court proceedings and said he was "amazed" when police charged him on his return.

Mr Cockroft was charged with causing death by reckless driving, driving over the prescribed limit, failing to display L plates and driving without supervision.

But these were dropped yesterday when the prosecution offered no evidence and formally withdrew the case.

Prosecuting solicitor Ewan McLachlan said that on November 25, 1978, a collision occurred between two vehicles in Bingley Road, Menston.

He said: "Tragically the occupants of one of them, Frederick and Marion Bennett, lost their lives. In 1978 and the first half of 1979 the matter was brought before the court but he fled the country to Spain.

"Police made attempts to extradite him but they were unsuccessful. In October of last year an officer in Leeds made inquiries and on April 11 he was arrested under the 1979 warrant."

"There were no eyewitnesses to the accident which occurred.

"Having considered the matter very carefully there's insufficient evidence to give rise to a realistic conviction in this matter.

"Mr and Mrs Bennett's daughter and their next of kin have been told. Her view is that she sees no useful purpose in seeing this matter pursued."

After the case Mr Cockroft said: "This suggestion that I fled the country is a lot of nonsense. I never heard anything about extradition. I didn't flee, I asked for a postponement which was not given and I stayed at my father's.

He added: "When I came back to this country about four years ago I asked my solicitor to check to see if there was a warrant and was told there wasn't. I was amazed when the police turned up at my door. I really feel that it has all fallen on me."

At an inquest in November 1979, the then Coroner, James Turnbull, recorded open verdicts on Mr Bennett, 69, and his wife Marion, 72, of Southlands Avenue, Rawdon.

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