Police officer cleared of causing pedestrian's death

Pc David Allen, 35 was also found not guilty by a jury at Leeds Crown Court yesterday on an alternative charge of causing the death of Ian Hambrey by careless or inconsiderate driving on March 8 last year.

The nine-woman, three-man jury took under an hour and half to reach their unanimous verdicts.

They had heard Mr Hambrey, 49, a divorced father of two, was walking home from a night out in Mexborough when he was hit by the Ford Focus patrol car as he was crossing Doncaster Road, Denaby Main at about 2.30am.

The officer and a colleague were responding to reports of a 13-year-old boy being unconscious from drinking cider and the patrol car had its blue lights flashing but no siren going.

The jury was told that about 135 metres from the point of impact the police car was doing 73mph but with braking by the time it struck Mr Hambrey the speed was estimated to be about 60mph. Prosecutors explained to the court that police officers could exceed speed limits and pass through traffic lights when responding to emergencies but claimed the officer was going too fast in the circumstances.

After the collision Pc Allen told investigators he had suddenly become aware of a person wearing dark clothing in the carriageway who appeared to be in "a half run" and he could not avoid him.

He told the jury he knew the route well and had carried out a "dynamic risk assessment", taking into account all the circumstances and he believed his speed was appropriate for the situation.

His counsel Heidi Cotton told the jury: "There is nothing to suggest he did anything other than react as quickly as he could in the circumstances he was in."

Pc Allen has been working on restricted duties and an assessment will now be made as to when he will go back into operational policing.

After the acquittal temporary Superintendent Ian Bint said: "South Yorkshire Police would like to pass our condolences to the family of Ian Hambrey.

"The force referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission in order than an independent investigation into the full circumstances could be carried out.

"A decision was taken by the CPS to prosecute the officer driving the police vehicle involved in the collision."

Supt Bint added: "Having heard all of the evidence the jury has decided that Pc Allen was not guilty of the offence for which he appeared before the court.

"We will work with the IPCC to ensure that we take appropriate action to reduce the likelihood of any similar incidents occurring."