Home / Crime and Justice / Drowning Death: Car Ramming Trial Stuns Court
Drowning Death: Car Ramming Trial Stuns Court
3 Sep
Summary
- A man drowned in a water-filled ditch after a car ramming attempt.
- The incident occurred on a country road in Lincolnshire on November 24, 2023.
- The court heard of a dispute over child custody visits prior to the event.
A man has died after drowning in a ditch when the car he was a passenger in attempted to ram another vehicle. The incident on Counter Drain Drove, Tongue End, Lincolnshire, occurred on November 24, 2023. Sean Burlton, 28, was a passenger in a Ford Focus that allegedly tried to ram a VW Touran. The prosecution described the death as "unlawful killing by drowning," stating it was a "horrible death."
The jury at Lincoln Crown Court heard that the driver of the Focus, Bailey Fitzgerald, and passengers including Burlton, were allegedly following McMullon's car. The prosecution claims the Focus went into a water-filled drain while attempting to cut off McMullon's car. Emergency services attended, but Burlton could not be saved. He was pronounced dead after post-mortem confirmed drowning.
Evidence presented included a detached number plate from the Focus, found embedded in McMullon's car, and a golf club at the scene. A wooden bat was recovered from the Focus. The court was also told of an ongoing dispute over child custody visits between Vanessa Gratton and Richard McMullon, who were identified as being connected to the incident. CCTV footage showed McMullon's car being followed by the Focus and another vehicle.
