Crown to appeal police chief Tom Forrester's acquittal

The Crown is to appeal the acquittal of the former head of road policing for Grampian on dangerous driving allegations.

Ch Insp Tom Forrester was cleared at Aberdeen Sheriff

Ch Insp Tom Forrester was cleared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last year.

It was claimed he had encouraged a colleague to drive dangerously in an unmarked police car with the siren and lights activated.

The vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a collision on the way to Aberdeen Airport in November 2008.

The crash happened on the B977 Belhelvie to Dyce road in Aberdeenshire.

The trial heard how Ch Insp Forrester and another colleague, Insp James Wood, were running late for a flight to Birmingham to attend a conference.

Ch Insp Forrester was further charged with violating the trust and duty of the force by failing to report the incident.

But Sheriff Kenneth Stewart cleared him of both charges.

Pc Ashley Forbes was found guilty of careless driving and failing to stop, but was given an absolute discharge.

The grounds of the Crown's appeal have not yet been made public.

Three judges will hear the appeal in Edinburgh next month.

12 April 2011