A new documentary series starting this month will cover the tragic death of Flynn Morrissey who was killed whilst travelling to school in September 2013.
A man was found guilty of causing the death of 11 year old Flynn by driving carelessly on the Alderley Edge bypass. The red Porsche he was driving crossed onto the opposite carriageway on a bend in the road and into the path of Nicky Clifford's car, which had been taking her two sons to school. One was a front seat passenger, the other, 11 year old Flynn Morrissey, was in the back. All three had been wearing seatbelts.
Sadly Flynn, who had started at Wilmslow High School two weeks earlier having previously attended Pownall Hall School, sustained fatal injuries in the head on collision.
The Crown Prosecution Service is often under scrutiny for its decision-making. Now for the first time in its 29 year history, the CPS has allowed cameras to document their work for a ground-breaking series, 'The Prosecutors'.
Filmed over 18 months with prosecutors in Merseyside, Cheshire and the South East, including the Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, the series goes behind the scenes to reveal how our criminal justice system really works and what it takes to secure a conviction. Each episode focuses on a different part of the process, following prosecutions and those involved in the case from start to finish.
With unprecedented access, the cameras follow a number of cases, including Flynn's death by careless driving which is the focus of the first episode, on Wednesday 24th February.
The Prosecutors must decide how to charge the driver, with no evidence that he was drunk or speeding or on his phone. His mother Nicky Clifford cannot understand why the driver is not admitting his guilt since his car was on her side of the road. Her reaction as the prosecution develops is unexpected and humbling.
Nicky Clifford told wilmslow.co.uk "Monday September 16th 2013 started like any other with the school run (seat belts on) and my journey to work. We had moved from Alderley Edge to Sandbach that Summer amongst the great excitement of a new house and Flynn starting at the high school, the journey had been around 35 minutes and we had made good time fully expecting to get to Wilmslow High School punctually. My younger son Flynn sat in the back and my elder son sat next to me in the front passenger seat making ready for drop off as we entered the Alderley Edge Bypass A34 but it was not to be.
"As we travelled the bypass with the clear road ahead a red car left the line of opposing traffic and travelled toward me in the middle of the carriage way, I made ready for the squeeze of three lane traffic but the red car was in trouble and I found myself in the hell of a road traffic collision. The day ended with my family gathered in hospital, I had sustained minor injury my elder son was unharmed but Flynn had died and my life had changed forever.
"Splintering the tranquility of my perfect life grief made its loathful acquaintance with me and held me suspended in its vice like grip as I tried to make sense of the incomprehensible, over the coming weeks cards, flowers letters and messages of hope flooded the house. I already felt like the luckiest girl for I had had the honour of being Flynn's mum and the messages confirmed all that I knew to be true that the people of Wilmslow/Alderley Edge are amazing!
"The coming weeks also provided evidence that the other driver had been charged with a criminal offence and the impending court case required me to be called as the main witness to Chester Crown Court and I felt so scared. However one day a letter arrived from the BBC, a letter unlike any other making respectful enquiry to my predicament and informing me of a documentary that was currently being filmed in the offices of The Crown Prosecution Service in Liverpool and would I consider allowing the producers to follow my case.
"I eyed the letter with deep suspicion and whilst thoughts jostled for dominance in the end I decided to 'just see'. I have always been of a mind that it is better to do something rather than nothing and seeing as I had no choice in going to court I might as well document and explore the process with a view to helping others."
Nicky added "Filming took place from August 2014 to trial date February 2015 and I found that talking and sharing my experiences was very therapeutic to me, I was taking control over a situation that I hadn't been able to control, and had taken Flynn's life. Through those months I was reminded as I looked through my letters and cards of condolence that what happened to me could happen to anyone at anytime and that you cannot help what happens to you but you can control your response to it. I determined to show as honestly and openly as I could my experiences so that people can learn and be thoughtful about their actions, and that death is not the end but a transformation.
"My love for Flynn powered me through the most awful grief and kept me on task to live a positive and happy life in celebration of my son and it bore the term 'Flynn Power'. There are many symbolic references to Flynn Power in the film, many of you who attended our celebration of Flynn's life at Saint Philip's Church in Alderley Edge will have seen the vast array of sunflowers for example.
"There are three films in total entitled 'The Prosecutors' and they delve behind the secretive doors of the Crown Prosecution Service. My story appears in the first film to be shown, Wednesday 24th February 2016 at 9pm on BBC4 as it explores how charges are brought in accordance with the evidence. The films are a co-production with the Open University and are going to be used on law degrees and psychology degree courses and my film has already been presented before BAFTA representatives at the Sheffield Film Festival, which made me feel very proud indeed.
"I have gone on to share my bereavement experiences via my VLOG and Facebook page and I am now a mentor, involved with the local charity 'Once Upon a Smile' who are striking huge influences in the support available for bereaved parents and siblings. I shall be appearing on BBC Breakfast News on the morning of the 24th February with the Chief Crown Prosecutor Claire Lindley to talk about some of the issues I encountered. I think Flynn would be very proud to know that his impact on the world was so profound and that his story will be told throughout the world.
"Furthermore I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you from my heart to all the wonderful people of Wilmslow/Alderley Edge who came together and supported me through my ordeal, life is indeed very precious."
The Prosecutors will air on BBC4 starting on Wednesday, 24th February at 9pm.
Photo: Flynn is pictured with his mum Nicky Morrissey.
