"What do we do now?"

Angry and confused, Kelly Parker stands with her husband Adam outside Swindon Crown Court on Monday, wondering what had happened to leave them in this situation.

Two years ago they lost their 14-year-old son Harry. He was killed in a hit-and-run on his way to school.

This tragedy caused shockwaves in the community. A sadness that only intensified as the months wore on and, despite an intense police investigation, nobody was being brought forward to answer for his death.

Then, 18 months later, Swindon resident Ivy Mwangi was charged with causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving while unlicensed and causing death by driving while uninsured.

Adam Parker has been supported by best friend Pete Harman (Image: Dave Cox)

For Harry's family, the trial set for February was a source of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

But six months on and those hopes for answers are in tatters, with the CPS dropping the charges in a quickly-arranged hearing where Ms Mwangi pleaded not guilty at Swindon Crown Court and logged off her video link call at the request of the judge.

Harry's parents knew this official decision was coming for several days, and were supported by a large crowd of friends and family at the proceedings. 

The support and sadness were palpable as the group exchanged hugs and tears, gathering around the stricken parents before the hearing.

As the defendant's pleas of not guilty were given, shocked gasps came from the packed-out courtroom.Friends and members of the Parker family were present for the final hearing (Image: Dave Cox)

With no trial and no suspect present, Adam and Kelly were granted time to voice their frustration to Judge Jason Taylor KC.

A visibly upset Kelly said: “We have been failed hugely by the CPS, by the police, by the law.”

“We have been told ever since our son died, right up until last week, that we have a strong case. How and why is she getting away with this? It is not right.

“How can you go from a strong case to having no evidence? She must have seen what happened. She knew it was school time.(Image: Dave Cox)

"How and why is she getting away with this?

“She hit him and drove away and had no licence.”

Adam, who was fighting to keep his emotions in check, added: “She has broken the law, and the worst thing happened. Maybe not intentionally, but she still did it.(Image: Dave Cox)

“Harry is not alive today. Harry is in ashes on our living room table and Ivy Mwangi is sat at home with her children. There is no justice in that whatsoever.

“It is not the end of this, you will hear from us again. We trusted the system, and the system let us down.”

Judge Taylor said: “My heart goes out to you. I can’t say where you go from here.

"All I can do is react to the information that’s put forward. I can’t change what’s happening.”

While this court case ended before it began, it is not over for Adam, Kelly, and friends and family.

Speaking outside the court before the hearing, Adam said: “We are in complete shock.

"If justice is to be served, let it go to trial. Let a jury make that decision. This is an injustice.(Image: Dave Cox)

“You ask another father what he would feel if his son's killer was out there, and then they would give you the same response.

"It destroys me on a daily basis.”

Kelly, said: “How can she walk away without a licence, hitting our son and then driving off? It’s not right.

“That was the only thing that was keeping me going after losing Harry - we are going to get justice, we are going to get this for you.

"What do we do now?"

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