Ryan Hilton and Sarah Westbury, slated to appear in Reading Crown Court, had their trial halted. The duo faced charges related to an alleged blackmail attempt targeting a former Formula 1 chief.
Initially charged at East Berkshire Magistrates Court in March, Hilton, a 42-year-old resident of Maidenhead in Berkshire, and Westbury, aged 31 from Slough, were scheduled for their court appearance on Tuesday.
However, proceedings took an unexpected turn as their case was discontinued that morning, with neither Hilton nor Westbury, also known as Surita, in attendance.
Neither defendant entered a plea. Hilton faced accusations of two counts of fraud by false representation and stalking, allegedly stemming from his social media activities. Westbury, on the other hand, was charged with one count of fraud by false representation.
The reasons behind the abrupt discontinuation of the case remain unclear. Judge Amjad Nawaz proceeded with other matters after the announcement.
Efforts to uncover the rationale behind the case’s termination led to inquiries directed at the Crown Prosecution Service. Meanwhile, the media speculates about the identity of the F1 personality involved but refrains from disclosing it.
