Cop accused of taxi death ‘didn’t slow down’ at red

A POLICE van responding to an emergency call failed to slow down as it approached red lights before a fatal collision with a taxi, a court has heard.

Paul Brown, 33, a gardener, told the High Court in Glasgow that he could not understand why it did not brake.

Officer David Brown, 30, denies causing the death of John Lacon by dangerous driving on 29 April, last year, at the junction of Dorchester Avenue, and Great Western Road, Glasgow.

The High Court in Glasgow has heard that Mr Lacon, 65, ­suffered serious head injuries and died on 11 May, last year.

Mr Brown said he was waiting to cross at the lights when he saw the police van approach.

He said: “The taxi was going through a green light at about 15 to 20mph in a calm manner. As I looked, the police vehicle was approaching the junction and I thought they would collide. In fact they collided quite badly.”.

Prosecutor Iain McSporran asked Mr Brown if he could ­remember anything about the speed of the police vehicle.

He replied: “It didn’t appear at any point to slow down as it ­approached the junction.”

Mr McSporran asked: “Did that surprise you?”

Mr Brown said: “Yes, because I knew it was approaching a red light and there was a car in its path. I didn’t understand why it didn’t slow down.”

The case continues.