A JURY have failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a Carno factory manager charged with causing the death of a colleague by dangerous driving

By the fourth day of the trial of Rhys Davies, 28 of Parc Hafod, Tregynon near Newtown, the jury spent six hours and four minutes deliberating, but could not reach a verdict and he now faces a retrial at the end of October

Davies, 28, a warehouse manager at Colomer Munmany Europe ltd, denied causing death by dangerous driving.

It is alleged that on October 28, 2016, Davies took part in a “high speed chase” with Matthew Bennett along the A470 near Caersws.

After colliding with two oncoming vans, Mr Bennett’s Ford Fiesta was catapulted into a field and the 19-year-old, who was from Llanidloes, died from his injuries at the Royal Stoke Hospital later that day.

The prosecution allege that as Mr Bennett tried to overtake Davies’ VW Golf car on an incline, he “ran out of road” and crashed.

Davies claimed he was 100 metres behind Mr Bennett’s Ford Fiesta and denied being drawn into a race.

After retiring on Wednesday night without coming to a conclusion, the jury were instructed by Judge Niclas Parry that they could reach a majority verdict.

But they returned at 2.30pm this afternoon, (Thursday, June 28) and after informing the judge they had not reached a verdict they were discharged.

The retrial has been fixed provisionally for Mold on October 29.

Judge Parry told Davies: “It is a matter of regret that I have had to put this matter off for so long and I will extend your bail until October 29.”