On 23rd August 2021, our world shattered as we learned the news that our big sister Jennifer tragically passed away at the age of 59. 

As a Service Manager for Branches, an adult support organisation, she had planned a day excursion to Southend-on-Sea for her clients and was returning from this trip when a lorry struck Jennifer's minibus on a slip road between junctions 26 and 27 killing her and three others.

Jennifer was a cornerstone of our vast family, leaving behind our parents, her three beloved children, five grandchildren, six siblings, and a plethora of nieces and nephews. Her entire life was dedicated to helping others, particularly through her work in the charity sector supporting adults and mothers with babies.

As a family we are devastated by the loss of Jennifer, there are not enough word to express the affect her death and the subsequent legal proceedings have had on us. As a result of significant failings by the CPS on her cases, our grief has been compounded. This has resulted in a gross miscarriage of justice. 

During a recent family meeting, Rachael Cushing, the lead lawyer from the CPS responsible for our case, admitted that she had not reviewed vital video evidence. This evidence was crucial for securing a conviction for death by dangerous driving. Her admission and subsequent apology highlight a severe lapse in the CPS’s duty to thoroughly examine all pertinent evidence to ensure justice is served.

This failure by the CPS has had devastating consequences for our family and undermines public confidence in the judicial process.

We demand the following actions to ensure accountability and justice for Jennifer:

1. Public Apology and Reparation: A formal apology from the CPS to our family, acknowledging their failure and the impact it has had on us.

2. Immediate and Thorough Investigation: An independent investigation into how this critical oversight occurred within the CPS. This investigation should examine the failure to review vital evidence and identify the systemic issues that allowed this lapse.

3. Accountability for Responsible Parties: Appropriate disciplinary actions against those responsible for this oversight, including Rachael Cushing, to ensure that such negligence does not go unpunished.

4. Review and Reform of CPS Procedures: A comprehensive review of the CPS’s procedures and policies to prevent similar failings in the future. This should include mandatory checks to ensure all evidence is thoroughly reviewed in cases involving serious charges such as death by dangerous driving.

Please join us in demanding justice for Jennifer and ensuring that no other family has to endure the pain and injustice we have faced. Sign this petition to call for these necessary actions to hold the CPS accountable and to advocate for reforms that will restore trust in our legal system. Your support is vital in helping us achieve justice for Jennifer and safeguarding the integrity of our judicial process.