Senior Crown Advocate Jeremy Evans prosecuted in cases of death by dangerous driving five times last year at Hull and Grimsby crown courts
A top Humber-area barrister received an award for his outstanding work at court bringing justice for families of loved ones killed in road traffic collisions. Senior Crown Advocate, Jeremy Evans was presented with a Commander Commendation Award by Humberside Police at a ceremony in Hull for his work in bringing convictions and justice to many.
Mr Evans prosecuted in a case of dangerous driving which caused the death of Grimsby teacher Alex Ramsden, 30, at the hands of drink driver Thomas Sanigar, 39, of Cleethorpes. He was jailed for nine years and nine months after the tragedy on Great Coates Road, Grimsby on February 3, last year.
Alex, a teacher, was described by his parents as “kind, loving and generous.” The senior prosecutor also got justice for the family of popular cyclist Stuart Simons, who was killed by David Parker, 67, of Torrington Road, Scunthorpe who struck the rear of Mr Simons cycle on the A1077 at around 5.30am on October 7, 2022, as he cycled to work.
His brother Damian told the defendant at court: “As families we are very private people but it is important to me that you realise the incredible amount of damage you inflicted on countless lives when you took Stu from us. You didn’t just cut down the biggest and strongest tree that day, you set fire to the entire forest.”
Mr Simons’ widow Claire told the court: “It breaks my heart knowing that Stu will not see his girls grow up, he will not be able to drive them to prom, to wave them off to college or proudly walk them down the aisle and he will never meet his grandchildren.”
Mr Evans prosecuted another two men convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. The citation read at the ceremony said: “Mr Evans is a Senior Crown Advocate employed by the CPS.
“Over recent years he has prosecuted a number of high profile, highly complex and sensitive fatal road traffic collisions and developed a strong working relationship with the Serious Collision Unit. Mr Evans can be relied upon to give both the investigations and families involved his total commitment regardless of the emotional and mental toll these cases carry.
“In 2024 alone he prosecuted five fatal road traffic collisions leading to combined custodial sentences of over 42 years and driving bans in excess of 66 years. One of those successful prosecutions was only achieved due to Mr Evans’ courage in challenging senior decision makers within the CPS following a failed police appeal to have a decision overturned and victim’s right to review refused.
“Having considered the evidence Mr Evans formed the opinion that two young males should have been charged with death by dangerous driving resulting from racing as opposed to just one. Having provided a detailed advice and principled reasoning as to why he would not prosecute the case as it stood, he was able to get the original decision overturned and charges laid on both drivers.
“A matter of weeks later both drivers pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and were both sentenced to eight years in custody. Without Mr Evans’ intervention and determination to see justice properly served, one of those drivers would never have been charged.
“In my opinion his dedication and professionalism along with the help and advice given to the SCU (Serious Collision Unit) should be commended.” Mr Evans said: “I was very humbled and proud to have been awarded it.”
Humberside Police’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking team proudly also attended the Awards, where Detective Sergeant Richard Kirk accepted a commendation on behalf of the entire team in recognition of their work safeguarding a woman who was being trafficked and forced into providing sexual services in Hull in December 2022.
A woman presented herself to local police officers stating she had escaped from a brothel she had been trafficked to and forced to perform sexual services. Detective Sergeant Kirk said: “It’s an honour to receive this commendation for the work my team did to safeguard a woman who had escaped a brothel in Hull and was subsequently swiftly safeguarded by my team.
“As a result of the MSHT investigation one of the women was subsequently charged and later pleaded guilty to Money Laundering, and a man was also charged and pleaded guilty to Controlling Prostitution and Money Laundering on the first day of trial at Hull Crown Court in January 2024. The man received a four-and-a-half-year sentence, and the woman received a two year suspended sentence in February 2024.”
He commended the support of the community in giving information to the police which helps them protect those who are being exploited.