Yorkshire PC cleared of killing father-of-two

A jury took just one-and-a-half hours to clear Pc David Allen after a three-day trial at Leeds Crown Court.

The South Yorkshire Police officer held his head in his hands and wiped away tears as he was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving and the alternative charge of causing death by careless and inconsiderate driving.

The 35 year old mouthed "thank you" to members of the jury as they left the court.

Pc Allen was responding to an emergency call when he struck Ian Hambrey. The officer was accused of driving at speeds of up to 75mph in a 30mph zone moments before he hit the pedestrian.

The 49-year-old victim was returning home from a night out when he was hit by the Ford Focus patrol car in Doncaster Road, Denaby Main, near Doncaster, in March last year.

The court was told Pc Allen and a colleague were responding to reports of a 13-year-old boy being unconscious from drink when the collision with Mr Hambrey took place at 2.38am.

Mr Hambrey, who worked as a machinist at a plastics factory, was given emergency first-aid at the scene by officers and was taken to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

The jury was told Pc Allen had turned on the car's flashing lights but no sirens were being sounded.

Mr Hambrey, a divorced father of two who lived with his mother, had been drinking that night and blood tests revealed he was two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.

Pc Allen, who gave his address as South Yorkshire Police Operations Complex in Tinsley, Sheffield, at an earlier hearing, declined to comment as he left court.

Speaking after the case, 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 (IPCC) in order that an independent investigation into the full circumstances could be carried out.

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

"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."