A pack of lies?

From today's MEN

A WITNESS was challenged to admit whether or not his evidence was a “pack of lies” at the inquest of a schoolboy killed in a hit and run.
Craig Chevellau, 25, was called before the inquest of little Samuel Walker after a car he owned was linked to his death on February 9, 2003.
The five-year-old was crossing Hardy Lane in Chorlton with his mum, Jackie Thomson, sister Amy and a cousin when a silver Mitsubishi Galant ploughed into him, causing multiple injuries.
The car failed to stop and was found abandoned a short distance from the scene.
It was reported stolen by Mr Chevellau, from Fallowfield, later that day. No forensic evidence has been recovered to prove he was the driver, something he has always denied.
Manchester coroner’s court heard how on the day of the tragedy, Samuel and his family were taking a picnic lunch to his grandmother’s home on Hardy Lane, just a few streets from their own house on Judson Avenue.
As they approached her mother’s home, Mrs Thomson checked no cars were coming and the four began to cross the road.

But before reaching the other side, she heard an engine and saw a vehicle speeding towards her family, coming apparently “out of nowhere”.
Mrs Thomson said: “The car was coming right for us. It was going much faster than 30mph and I was terrified. I shouted at the driver to stop and looked back at Samuel.
“He passed us, and for a moment I felt relieved we were all safe. That’s when I saw Samuel lying on the ground. He looked asleep. I just screamed and screamed.”

Witnesses told how the silver saloon vehicle, identified as a Mitsibishi Galant, made a screeching noise as it approached the family and appeared to swerve across the road to where they were standing.
After hitting Samuel, who was thrown against a parked car by the impact, the vehicle appeared to accelerate and turned into a side street.
The first half of its registration number was noted by several eye witnesses and matched by police to Mr Chevellau’s vehicle, which he reported stolen three hours after the crash.
Giving evidence, Mr Chevellau – who was uninsured and held no driving licence at the time of the incident – said the car was taken late that morning but that he did not think to report it to police, preferring instead to cycle around Moss Side to look for it himself.
He said: “That morning I took the car out to buy cigarettes for my mother but on the way stopped to use a pay phone. While I was in the phone box someone stole my car. I thought it was a prank by someone I knew, so went to get my bike and find out who took it. I wanted to make sure, before I phoned the police.”
Mr Chevellau was arrested by police and questioned about the incident. Forensic tests were carried out on the vehicle and crash scene but a lack of evidence has so far prevented prosecution.
Coroner Nigel Meadows said parts of Mr Chevellau’s evidence varied from his statements at the time of the incident and asked him: “Is what you are telling us a pack of lies or are you telling us the truth? This is the only opportunity we have to ask you. I am skeptical about the reality of your evidence.”
Recording a verdict of unlawful killing, he said the case would remain open until Samuel’s killer was brought to justice.