A POLICEMAN was driving PAGE 14 at nearly twice the legal speed limit when his van collided with a car, killing a young woman, a Court heard yesterday.

PC Thomas Hart was responding to a 999 call when his van collided head-on with a Peugeot 207 driven by Aimee Welsh.

The accident happened on the A1032 Tees Bridge Approach Road, near Middlesbrough, in the early hours of October 18, last year. Twentyfive- year-old Miss Welsh died from her injuries nearly a month after the crash. Her fiance, Anthony Theakston, who was in the passenger seat, suffered a fractured eye socket.

PC Hart yesterday went on trial at Teesside Crown Court charged with causing death by careless driving.

The jury was told that the 28-year-old was driving at nearly twice the 40mph speed limit when he lost control of his Cleveland Police marked van on a bend. Tim Parkin, prosecuting, said the fact that the officer was answering an emergency call did not absolve him of blame.

Mr Parkin told the court: “The prosecution case is quite simple. The only rational explanation for that collision is the speed the defendant was driving that van.

“The defendant entered a bend, having left Newport Bridge, at 77mph, and at that speed lost control, crossed the lane and struck the vehicle driven by Aimee Welsh headon.

“No criticism whatsoever, of any kind or at any time, can attach to the driving of Aimee Welsh. She was on the right side of the road, driving perfectly normally.”

PC Hart, of Ryhope, Sunderland, denies a charge of causing death by careless driving, and is facing a trial which is likely to last for most of this week.

The jury of nine women and five men heard that Miss Welsh and her 25-year-old fiance were travelling home to Thornaby, near Stockton, after visiting relatives.

Her sister, Tracy Robinson, had just agreed to act as a surrogate mother for the couple, because Miss Welsh – who suffered from cystic fibrosis and diabetes – could not have children.

The jury also heard that the couple had chosen an engagement ring the day before, and Miss Welsh had spent the early part of the evening making wedding plans with her mother.

Mr Parkin said: “It is undoubtedly clear that she had a lower life expectancy than most of us in this courtroom today but, nevertheless, it is clear that she was living life to the full and was very happy, indeed.”

In a statement read to the court, Mr Theakston said he and Miss Welsh were looking forward to a future together and planned to get married within the year.

Members of the jury, who yesterday afternoon went to the scene of the crash, were told by Judge Christopher Prince to put aside emotion when dealing with the case.

Mr Parkin told the jury that PC Hart should be found guilty if the panel agrees that his driving fell below the standard required of a careful and competent driver.

He said: “The law allows police officers and, indeed, ambulance and fire engine drivers to break speed limits when they are responding to a call.

“But while they are exempt from adhering to speed limits when engaged in pursuit or response, there still remains a statutory requirement to maintain safety margins.

“Exemptions do not include driving at speed or in a manner which is dangerous or in a manner which would amount to (driving) without due care and attention.”

Mr Theakston told how his attention was drawn to the van because of its speed, and said: “It was going fast. I would estimate its speed at around 70mph to 80mph.

“The second I saw the van it began to lose control due to its speed. It crossed the central carriageway and it was about 250 yards ahead of us.

“I shouted ‘Aimee’, and she started breaking. There was an almighty bang.”

The case continues.