The Judge presided over the trial of Johnny and Jenny Connor in February 2019 on charges of GBH by dangerous driving (in Jenny's case) and perverting the course of justice for the both of them. The victim was Liz McDonald who Jenny had hit on Christmas Day with Johnny then attempting to cover for her. The residents' sympathies were torn as Jenny had discovered that her husband had had a fling with Liz, though she swore that the collision was an accident. Johnny also had lost his son by suicide in the previous May and this was born in mind by the people who knew the three involved when reaching their own judgement. Liz had an attack of conscience and did not turn up at the court for the trial, instead flying abroad. The Judge directed that without the key prosecution witness the trial could not proceed and freed the couple.