Burglary Victim Cleared of Causing Death of Teen Fleeing on Stolen Bike in Stockport

Callum Duncan, a burglary victim from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after chasing thieves who stole his motorbikes. The chase involved Duncan pursuing the burglars in his car at speeds up to 36mph in a 20mph zone, while the thieves fled on his stolen off-road bikes. Dean Barnes, 16, who was riding pillion on a stolen bike driven by Adam Norman, died instantly after their bike crashed into a parked car and another vehicle. Norman was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and other charges, having sped through a junction at 50 to 60mph while trying to evade Duncan. The court accepted that Duncan acted like a reasonable homeowner trying to recover his stolen property and that Norman’s reckless driving was the primary cause of the fatal crash. The prosecution emphasized that Duncan still owed a duty of care to other road users, but the jury cleared him after less than five hours of deliberation.