Policeman charged over road death will not be prosecuted

A POLICE officer charged in connection with a road accident in which a pedestrian died will not be prosecuted, it emerged yesterday.

Martin Douglas was crossing Union Place, near Edinburgh's Playhouse Theatre, at around 4:20am on New Year's Day when he was struck by a black Toyota.

The 41-year-old was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he died a short time later.

Lothian and Borders Police said in January that an off-duty officer was behind the wheel of the car that hit Mr Douglas.

The force said a 25-year-old police officer was charged in relation to an alleged road traffic offence on 1 January. Yesterday, a Crown Office spokesman said: "The procurator fiscal at Edinburgh received a report concerning a 25-year-old male in connection with an incident on 1 January 2011. After full and careful consideration of the evidence in the case, Crown counsel decided that there should be no criminal proceedings."

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that the officer had been cleared and continued to serve with the force.

After the accident, passers-by waved down a passing ambulance and Mr Douglas was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He died of head and pelvic injuries.

Mr Douglas, who was from Niddrie, Edinburgh, had been training for a job as an HGV driver. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons.