The mother and brother of Archie Battersbee, who tragically passed away, have made a court appearance for allegedly causing a man to crash off the road in what is believed to be a retaliatory act. Hollie Dance and her son Thomas Summers are accused of pursuing the driver from Southend to Basildon, resulting in the vehicle hitting a tree, as disclosed during the trial at Southend Crown Court.
The incident occurred in October 2022, shortly after the death of 12-year-old Archie following a legal battle over his life support. The young boy became brain dead after participating in a risky social media challenge. Prosecutors argue that Hollie, 50, forced the man’s vehicle into a tree, while Summers, 26, pushed him into a bush with another car. The victim sustained injuries including a fractured shoulder, dislocation, cuts, bruises, and required surgery.
According to the prosecution, Hollie tailed the man in her BMW, with Summers blocking his path and then both individuals allegedly used a baseball bat to smash the victim’s car windows. The prosecutor, Richard Scott, stated that the defendants resorted to following and attacking the man while his vehicle was stationary to address their grievances. Additionally, a canister containing Hollie’s DNA and capable of emitting a harmful substance was discovered near the crash site.
Hollie refuted the claims of chasing the vehicle, stating she had spent the day at Archie’s grave and then at Basildon Sporting Village for his gymnastics. She reported being overtaken by a red Peugeot that collided with her multiple times, prompting her to follow in an attempt to signal the driver to stop.
Hollie, residing in Southend, faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, serious injury due to dangerous driving, and possession of a prohibited weapon for discharging harmful substances. Summers is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, affray, and possession of an offensive weapon, namely a baseball bat. Another individual, Rhys Bentley, 25, present in Summers’ vehicle during the incident, faces similar charges. All three defendants have denied the accusations of causing grievous bodily harm intentionally.
The victim recounted feeling as though he was going to die and blacking out during the crash, subsequently being thrown out of the vehicle. The prosecution alleges that the collision followed a prior altercation in Southend where the victim intervened in a fight involving Hollie’s daughter.
The trial is ongoing.