AN UNDERCOVER police officer who killed a pedestrian while driving like a "cowboy" and a "hooligan" has been cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.
PC Gary Moncrieff, from Thamesmead, was accused at Blackfriars Crown Court, of knocking down 27-year-old Ravinthiran Sivanesan on January 7 this year.
It took the jury more than three hours to acquit him and his family burst into tears when the verdict was announced. But PC Moncrieff may still face a disciplinary charge.
In his defence, Anthony Pitts claimed PC Moncrieff had been forced onto the wrong side of the road by a stubborn driver who would not let him pass.
The jury heard from other motorists that 26-year-old PC Moncrieff was driving like a "boy racer" at speeds of up to 60mph in response to an emergency call from another officer.
He swerved into a set of traffic lights in Kennington Road, Lambeth, which collapsed on Mr Sivanesan as he stood at the crossing. Mr Sivanesan died from head injuries 11 days later.
December 19, 2001 16:30
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