Nottinghamshire police officer reached speeds of 101mph and hit hare

PC Ryan Lee admitted gross misconduct after reaching speeds of 101mph

A Nottinghamshire Police officer reached speeds of 101mph and activated his blue lights despite having no operational reason to do so, a misconduct hearing has heard.

PC Ryan Lee also struck an animal, believed to be a hare, during the incident on 26 April last year.

He admitted a charge of dangerous driving at Sheffield Magistrates' Court in February.

Lee was dismissed from the force following a hearing on Friday.

The misconduct hearing, held at the force's headquarters in Sherwood Lodge Drive, heard Lee was returning to Worksop Police Station at about 23:05 BST on 26 April when he activated his lights.

The 27-year-old, who was a response officer at the time, then proceeded to travel along the A614 at speeds that exceeded the limit of 50mph. At one point he hit 101mph.

Dashcam footage also showed Lee overtaking vehicles on the A617 after crossing solid white lines.

He also struck a wild animal, believed to be a hare, while travelling at speed on the A614. That particular incident damaged the police car, the hearing was told.

'Completely unacceptable'

During the hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Kate Meynell, Lee admitted his actions amounted to gross misconduct.

He apologised for his conduct and for "letting down members of the public", according to Nottinghamshire Police.

The chief constable agreed his actions amounted to gross misconduct and dismissed Lee without notice.

Supt Kathryn Craner, head of the force's professional standards directorate, said: "It is completely unacceptable that PC Lee drove a police car dangerously and significantly above legal speed limits.

"He also activated the vehicle's blue lights, when he had no operational reason to do so. As a police officer, he should have known the danger his actions posed to other road users.

"His actions fell well below the standards expected of him by Nottinghamshire Police and this accelerated gross misconduct hearing has now seen him dismissed from the force."

Lee admitted a charge of dangerous driving at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on 27 February. He is due to be appear at Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing.