Who was Karen Lynn and what was she cleared of?

Karen Lynn, a 43-year-old woman, was cleared of unlawfully killing Wayne Ambridge and acquitted of manslaughter charges related to an incident in a Tesco car park.

What led to the fatal Tesco car park incident?

The fracas at the Tesco car park on November 4, 2023, involved a dispute between two families, reportedly over a relationship between Reece Ambridge and Lynn's daughter.

What was the outcome for Stuart Smith in the case?

Stuart Smith admitted manslaughter for punching Wayne Ambridge and was jailed for five years in 2024. He was also convicted of assaulting Ambridge's son.

Home / Crime and Justice / Woman Cleared in Tesco Car Park Death Case

Woman Cleared in Tesco Car Park Death Case

9 Feb

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Summary

Woman acquitted of unlawfully killing amputee Wayne Ambridge.
Court heard dispute stemmed from relationship between families.
Judge cited lack of evidence for manslaughter charge.

Woman Cleared in Tesco Car Park Death Case

A woman, identified as Karen Lynn, has been acquitted of the unlawful killing of amputee Wayne Ambridge, who died after an assault in a Tesco car park on November 4, 2023. Lynn, 43, admitted assault and received an absolute discharge at St Albans Crown Court, having already been found not guilty of murder. The court heard that the incident stemmed from a dispute between Lynn's and Ambridge's families over a relationship between their children.

During the retrial, the court was told Ambridge had grabbed Lynn's legs, causing her to fall. Lynn then kicked Ambridge, and her partner, Stuart Smith, punched him. While Ambridge initially showed no obvious signs of injury, hospital checks revealed a bleed on the brain, and he died a few days later. Prosecutors argued Lynn encouraged Smith's assault, but the judge found no evidence of her illegal participation in the manslaughter.

Smith, 43, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for five years in 2024. He was also convicted of assaulting Ambridge's son. The judge noted Lynn had fractured her elbow during the fracas and had spent seven months in custody, a period longer than any potential sentence for her admitted assault.