Gypsy star’s son in court accused of causing death of Elton man in road crash

From the Ellesmere Port Pioneer

THE son of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and Celebrity Big Brother winner Paddy Doherty has appeared in court accused of causing the death of an Elton man in a road crash.

David Doherty, 27, of Riverside caravan park, Queensferry, Flintshire, hobbled on crutches into the dock at Caernarfon Magistrates Court with his right arm strapped up.

After a hearing lasting an hour and 20 minutes, a bail application was rejected and he was remanded in custody to appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on April 2.

Mr Doherty, who wore a blue sweatshirt and dark trousers, is accused of causing the death of friend James Loveridge, 38, of Elton, by dangerous driving in a Mitsubishi Shogun on the A55 at Talybont, near Bangor, in the early hours of Sunday, March 18.

He is also accused of failing to stop afterwards, failing to report the crash, being uninsured and taking a Land Rover without consent from a farm on the same morning.

His solicitor Avisha Gulhati told the magistrates: “Mr Doherty denies being the driver of the motor vehicle and that has always been his stance.”

She said his father was unable to attend court because of a hospital appointment. But, for bail, he could provide a £20,000 cash surety and offer the deeds on three properties worth £500,000.

The smash involved the Shogun and a Renault van parked in a lay-by. Police said Mr Loveridge, a Traveller, was in the Shogun and died at the scene and three other occupants were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The van driver was in a critical condition.

Officers have appealed for any witnesses who were on the A55 dual carriageway between 3.30am and 4am to contact them.

Mr Loveridge’s funeral took place on Thursday.