Royal outrider cleared over pedestrian's death

Helen Holland, 81, was struck at a junction in Earl's Court in May 2023

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 Ms Holland was crossing.

The Metropolitan Police said all escort riders now had bullhorns fitted to their motorcycles to ensure public safety. Any misconduct matters for PC Harrison would now be considered "as soon as possible", the force added.

During the trial, the jury learnt the police 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.

On the day of the incident, PC Harrison was among a team of convoy motorbike outriders escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh as she left the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office in King Charles Street, just after 15:00 BST, jurors were told.

The car the duchess was in and a police back-up vehicle were part of the convoy.

The defendant, who had 21 years of experience in the specialist escort group, said he "couldn't put it into numbers" how many times he had undertaken the journey and that he was "very familiar" with the route.

Ms Holland was 2.9m (9.5ft) on to the crossing when PC Harrison's motorbike hit her, the court heard.

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

She suffered a skull fracture, bruising to her arms, legs and body, as well as fractures to her lower legs.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as complications from a severe head injury.

Dorothy, Ms Holland's older sister and Lisa, the victim's daughter-in-law, pictured at the scene of the collision

PC Harrison, who became emotional while giving evidence during the trial, told jurors that the collision was a "tragic accident" which occurred in circumstances he had "no control over".

Under cross-examination, he accepted he forgot to switch on his body-worn camera and did not use his whistle as he approached the pedestrian crossing but insisted he had not been complacent that day.

"She was just there in front of me," he told jurors.

"She just appeared, between the kerb line and the point of collision.

"At no point did I see her on the island, I'm sorry."

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.

Following the verdict, commander Adam Slonecki, of Specialist Operations, said: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mrs Holland's family, and we are deeply sorry for their loss in these circumstances.

"While nothing we can say or do can make up for this loss, we have worked to safeguard against future tragedies regardless of today's outcome.

"While it is crucial police actions are scrutinised, PC Harrison has waited two-and-a-half years for today's outcome, while Mrs Holland's family have had to grieve through a protracted period of uncertainty.

"We have been lobbying for quicker and fairer accountability processes to lessen the impact on all involved.

"We will now consider any misconduct matters for PC Harrison as soon as possible."