TOP Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson says charges against an East Yorkshire woman blamed for a crash that killed her sister should be dropped to spare their family further heartache
Jennie Stone, 28, was killed minutes after dropping her son, Charlie, then aged nine, at Skipsea Primary School, when her car hit a tree in Fraisthorpe on February 18.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) met with members of the family, but announced in a statement last week that it was in the public interest to prosecute Rosie-Ann Stone.
Rosie-Ann, 20, whose brother, Gregg, 20, was shot dead in Afghanistan in June last year, was driving her car on the same A165 Hull to Bridlington road at the time of the crash.
Writing in his Sun column, which appeared on Saturday, Clarkson said: "Last year, proud Angie Stone, from East Yorkshire, lost her son Gregg, who was killed in Afghanistan.
"Then, earlier this year, her beautiful daughter Jennie was killed in a car accident. And now, her other daughter, Rosie-Ann, is being prosecuted for causing the crash.
"Hmmm. If this were a truly civilised country, that prosecution would be dropped. Because whatever happened, whoever was to blame, this family has suffered enough."
Last night, the siblings' mother, Angie Stone, 56, said Clarkson's comment had given the family "such a boost" – and vowed to continue fighting to clear her daughter's name.
Previously, Mrs Stone has told the Mail how the family have had to "put on hold" grieving for Gregg and Jennie, while they waited for the CPS to decide whether or not to proceed with charges.
Mrs Stone, who works in a bookmakers', says she believes the CPS has "totally disregarded" the wishes of the family by choosing to prosecute.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart, in which he spoke of his "regret" at the CPS decision and offered further support for the family.
The Stone family, of Atwick, near Hornsea, are taking legal advice and are considering launching a petition.
Mrs Stone has said the family may launch a petition, calling on the CPS to cease legal proceedings against Rosie- Ann.
Gregg, a private in 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed by the Taliban in a daring mission to rescue an Afghan policeman kidnapped by the Taliban in Helmand province.
Rosie-Ann is expected to attend a brief hearing at Bridlington Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, August 28.
CPS: 'We have sought views of family'In a statement, Catherine Ainsworth, district crown prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said: "Rosie-Ann Stone has been reported for summons for driving without due care and causing a fatality.
"We are aware of the incredibly emotive circumstances of this case but must adhere to the Code for Crown Prosecutors, which requires our lawyers to consider two things.
"The first is whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
"Where this is met, and it is in this case, we must consider whether it is in the public interest to prosecute. To make this decision, we have sought the views of all parties, including the Stone family and Jennie's immediate family.
"Taking into account all of the information available to us at this time, we have concluded it is in the public interest to prosecute Rosie-Ann and have advised Humberside Police to report her for summons."
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