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Death crash police officer jailed Death crash police officer jailed
(20 minutes 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, while speeding, London's Southwark Crown Court heard.Searles, from Kent, used sirens and blue lights, while speeding, London's Southwark Crown Court heard.
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.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.
Sacked from force
Seconds before the crash on 23 August, Searles had been driving at 56mph in a 30mph zone.Seconds before the crash on 23 August, Searles had been driving at 56mph in a 30mph zone.
I have lost everything... I loved her so much Peter Simpson, husband Sandra Simpson was with her husband Peter when she was killed
After a "prolonged course of dangerous driving" covering a total of 22 miles and lasting over an hour, he hit Mrs Simpson.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."Had he been driving at the legal limit he would have been able to stop," Michael Mulkerris, prosecuting, told the court.
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.
'Real character'
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.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.
'World fell apart' I have lost everything... I loved her so much Peter Simpson, husband
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.
In a statement read to the court, Mrs Simpson's husband said his office receptionist wife "had been my whole world" and since her death he had contemplated suicide.In a statement read to the court, Mrs Simpson's husband said his office receptionist wife "had been my whole world" and since her death he had contemplated suicide.
"In short I have lost everything... I loved her so much," he said."In short I have lost everything... I loved her so much," he said.
"If I had known Mr Searles was rushing to save someone that night that would have been some consolation."If I had known Mr Searles was rushing to save someone that night that would have been some consolation.
"But it was an accident waiting to happen from the moment he drove off.""But it was an accident waiting to happen from the moment he drove off."
Outside court, Mrs Simpson's son-in-law, Luke Brooks, said, when they were told of the accident, the family's "world fell apart".Outside court, Mrs Simpson's son-in-law, Luke Brooks, said, when they were told of the accident, the family's "world fell apart".
"Sandy was a real character who loved life and wherever she went, fun and laughter followed," he added."Sandy was a real character who loved life and wherever she went, fun and laughter followed," he added.