A Banbury man is charged with causing the death of Esme Heaton-Biggs, 18, on Bloxham Road on 3 October. Police still want witnesses and dashcam footage.

A 36-year-old Banbury man has been charged after an 18-year-old woman died following a collision on Bloxham Road on Saturday night, 3 October.

Thames Valley Police named him as Brian Mclaren, aged 36, of Vincent Way, Banbury. He was charged on Monday morning, 5 October, and appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court the same day. He was remanded and will next appear at Oxford Crown Court on 6 November (Thames Valley Police, 5 October).

Her family named her as Esme Elizabeth Heaton-Biggs in a tribute released through the force.

What the police have said

The force’s first statement, published on Sunday evening, set out what happened (Thames Valley Police, 4 October):

  • The collision happened at around 9.20pm on Saturday 3 October.
  • It was on Bloxham Road, close to the junction with Springfield Avenue.
  • It involved a white Mercedes and a white Volkswagen Polo.
  • The driver of the Polo, a woman aged 18, was taken to hospital and later died.
  • Three people from Banbury were arrested.

Brian Mclaren is charged with five offences, as the force worded them:

  • cause death by dangerous driving
  • cause death by driving whilst disqualified
  • cause death by due care while over prescribed limit
  • driving whilst disqualified
  • drive motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit

The other two people arrested, a 24-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, have been released on police bail. The force says its enquiries continue. Neither has been charged.

Her family’s tribute

Esme’s family said she died on Sunday 4 October. Their tribute describes her as “a funny, kind, stubborn, witty and beautiful human being”. Her friends, they said, called her “their spark” and “the glue that held the social group together”.

“Esme has barely just begun her adult life, going on holidays and nights out with her friends, and making plans with everyone who ever wanted to make plans,” the family wrote.

They thanked “the people and residents of Easington and Banbury”, the fire service, ambulance staff, police and the staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital “and anyone and everyone who helped Esme”. Knowing she was cared for so well, they said, “brings a great level of comfort in this incredibly difficult time” (the family’s tribute, via Thames Valley Police).

What it means for you

If you saw it, the police still want to hear from you. Detective Sergeant Lyndsey Blackaby of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said a number of people were at the scene. Anyone who has not yet spoken to officers is asked to get in touch.

Drivers who were in the area that evening are asked to check their dashcam footage. It may show the collision or the moments before it. You can:

  • upload footage through the force’s online appeal portal
  • call 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260517700
  • tell Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

The case is now active. Brian Mclaren has been charged, not convicted, and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence. That limits what anyone can publish. We will not speculate about what happened on Bloxham Road. We are reporting only what Thames Valley Police has put on the record, and that is how we will cover the case from here.

Sources