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Death crash police officer jailed Death crash police officer jailed
(about 1 hour later)
A former Metropolitan police officer who killed a woman pedestrian while on a personal errand in a patrol car has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.A former Metropolitan police officer who killed a woman pedestrian while on a personal errand in a patrol car has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Malcolm Searles, 24, admitted causing the death by dangerous driving of Sandra Simpson, 61, as he went to deliver a birthday card last August.Malcolm Searles, 24, admitted causing the death by dangerous driving of Sandra Simpson, 61, as he went to deliver a birthday card last August.
Mrs Simpson died after the crash in Bromley, south-east London.Mrs Simpson died after the crash in Bromley, south-east London.
Searles, from Kent, used sirens and blue lights during the errand, London's Southwark Crown Court heard. Searles, from Kent, used sirens and blue lights, while speeding, London's Southwark Crown Court heard.
In a previous hearing, the court heard Searles had been driving at 50mph in a 30mph zone shortly before the crash on 23 August. The court heard how Searles, from North View, Swanley, Kent, had been on a "hair raising joy-ride", during which he was clocked doing 104mph in a 40mph zone.
Sister's house Told lies
Seconds before the crash on 23 August, Searles had been driving at 56mph in a 30mph zone.
After a "prolonged course of dangerous driving" covering a total of 22 miles and lasting over an hour, he hit Mrs Simpson.
"Had he been driving at the legal limit he would have been able to stop," Michael Mulkerris, prosecuting, told the court.
Mrs Simpson was walking with her husband, Peter, in Homesdale Road at the time.Mrs Simpson was walking with her husband, Peter, in Homesdale Road at the time.
The officer, who was based in Bromley police station, was charged after the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated the fatal crash.The officer, who was based in Bromley police station, was charged after the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated the fatal crash.
He was sacked from the Met in April following disciplinary action.He was sacked from the Met in April following disciplinary action.
IPCC investigators found Searles had gone on the personal errand, while on duty, to his sister's house in Swanley, Kent.IPCC investigators found Searles had gone on the personal errand, while on duty, to his sister's house in Swanley, Kent.
He used a police car and had driven at speeds of more than 100mph during the evening. Later, he tried to lie his way out of trouble, claiming he had been following speeding car he believed had been stolen, Southwark Crown Court heard.