A traffic policeman who knocked down and killed a schoolgirl as he drove at 94mph in a 30mph zone — with no blue lights or siren — was jailed for three years yesterday for causing death by dangerous driving.
Hayley Adamson, 16, was hit by the speeding Volvo patrol car driven by PC John Dougal. The collision happened shortly after the 41-year-old officer had turned to pursue a suspected stolen car in a residential area of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Judge David Hodson told Newcastle Crown Court that although Dougal had braked, the speed on impact was still 68-72mph.
He described the case as an immense tragedy, saying: “I have read moving statements from Hayley’s father, mother and sister and they are eloquent testimony to a much loved, vivacious and loving daughter and sister whose death has left a void in their lives.”
During a five-day trial the jury heard that in May last year Dougal was driving through the West End of Newcastle when he was alerted by his registration number recognition system to a suspect car. He turned to give chase, accelerating to 94mph, but did not switch on his siren for fear of alerting the driver. It was later found that the vehicle was not suspicious and was being driven lawfully.
In court Gordon Robertson, a police driving standards expert, said he could not imagine a situation that would justify accelerating to more than 90mph in a built-up area without activating the blue lights.
Hayley, who had been due to sit her GCSEs and wanted to study childcare at college, was crossing the road with friends when Dougal’s car came over the brow of a hill. Though he braked, a collision was inevitable. She died instantly.
Gary Garland, of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said that the sentence must serve as a reminder to all officers that their training did not give them licence to take unnecessary risks on the roads. Dougal’s driving defied belief, he said.
May 2, 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment