A DANGEROUS driving charge was dropped at Worcester Crown Court after it was discovered that a notice of intended prosecution had not been served in time.

Swearing in the jury had just begun when the mistake was noticed. Judge David McEvoy QC commented: "This is a complete waste of money."

Prosecutor Michael Conry offered no evidence against 59-year-old Lawson Crisp, of Woodward Road, Kidderminster.

A not guilty verdict was recorded.

Mr Conry said West Mercia police were changing their procedure so that a similar situation did not happen again.

Crisp is also charged with driving with excess alcohol and this case was remitted back to Kidderminster magistrates.