POLICE yesterday admitted the father of schoolgirl Liberty Baker should never have faced charges of harassing the parents of his daughter’s killer.

Paul Baker, 47, said he was devastated after being handed a summons just days after seeing Robert Blackwell jailed for four years after admitting causing 14-year-old Liberty’s death by dangerous driving.

He was due to appear in court on Monday – only for Thames Valley Police to back down at the 11th hour and drop the case.

Yesterday police admitted the decision to prosecute Mr Baker was down to a blunder. But the force refused to say whether it had apologised to him.

Liberty was killed on June 30 when she was hit by a car driven by Blackwell as he sped along Curbridge Road, Witney and mounted the kerb.

Mr Baker was summonsed to court to answer two counts of harassment without violence following incidents where he allegedly harassed Blackwell’s parents Andrew and Julia.

But in cases of harassment, summons must be issued within six months of the date when the offence allegedly took place.

In Mr Baker’s case the summons which were issued related to allegations of harassment between July 2014 and February this year.

But police then found the incident in February 2015 could not be proven.

At the time of the summons being issued to Mr Baker in April, the most recent offence police felt could be proven was in October and therefore outside the six-month timeframe.

As a result the case was dropped.

The self-employed engineer said: “My wife Maureen and I were totally devastated when I was summonsed to court.

“It was a shock and came out of the blue, especially days after [Blackwell] was sentenced.

“We thought we were finally getting some closure. It just shows the injustices of the justice system.”

He said the allegations of harassment related to an incident where he passed Andrew Blackwell in a narrow lane and glared at him.

He said on another occasion he had approached Mrs Blackwell but only to ask for directions.

Mr Baker added that he had not been aware that he was meant to attend court on Monday due to being given confusing information.

He believes he may still have to appear in court on July 14 to officially end the case.

He said: “I got a letter from HM Courts and Tribunals Service on May 12 and it said the hearing [on June 22] had been adjourned until July 14 in Oxford Magistrates Court.

“Then we had a visit from our local police officer and they said the case had been dropped and there would be no further action.

“I then called the Crown Prosecution Service to ask for confirmation and they said I was still expected to appear in court on July 14.

“It is all as clear as mud.”

Oxford Mail:

  • Sentenced: Robert Blackwell was jailed for four years after admitting Liberty Baker’s death by dangerous driving

Police refused to tell the Oxford Mail at what level of the force the decision to issue the summons had been made but said officers had handled the case “sensitively”.

The force also said the investigation would be reviewed to identify “any potential learning and improvement for the future” but said no officers were being disciplined.

Chief Inspector Julian Collinson said: “We understand that this is very difficult for all of those involved and the officers have ensured this case has been handled as sensitively as possible.

“Family liaison officers have supported the Baker family since the tragic loss of their daughter and will continue to do so. Our thoughts remain with them.

“Despite the incredibly difficult circumstances, we have a duty to investigate complaints made to us.”

West Oxfordshire District councillor for Witney East Duncan Enright said: “One of the worst things a family can face is the loss of a beloved child.

“It is awful to think Mr Baker had to face this as well.”

Crown Prosecution Service spokeswoman Jackiee Otto said the decision to prosecute Mr Baker was taken by the police alone.