Royal outrider cleared over pedestrian's death

A police motorcyclist who crashed into a pensioner while escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh through London has been found not guilty of causing death by careless driving.

Helen Holland, 81, died two weeks after she was hit in the crash on West Cromwell Road, west London, on 10 May 2023.

The Old Bailey was told PC Christopher Harrison, 68, had been riding at between 44mph (70km/h) and 58mph within a 30mph speed limit, on the approach to a red light where Mrs Holland was crossing.

PC Harrison told the Old Bailey he "did not see her in the footway at all on the approach".

The outrider team is allowed to exceed the speed limit, go through red lights and drive on the wrong side of the road, but such driving must be done safely, the court heard.

After the verdict was returned, a person shouted from the public gallery: "You ruined our family with no consequences."

Mr Justice Martin Chamberlain then told PC Harrison he was free to leave.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.