Police roads chief cleared of driving allegations
The former head of road policing for Grampian has been cleared of dangerous driving allegations.
Ch Insp Tom Forrester was cleared by a sheriff after a trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
It was claimed he had encouraged colleague Pc Ashley Forbes to drive dangerously in an unmarked police car with the siren and lights activated.
The vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a collision on the way to Aberdeen Airport.
Pc Forbes was found guilty of an alternative charge of careless driving and failing to stop, but was given an absolute discharge.
The trial heard how Ch Insp Forrester and another colleague, Insp James Wood, were running late for a flight to Birmingham to attend a conference.
Ch Insp Forrester was further charged with violating the trust and duty of the force by failing to report the incident.
But Sheriff Kenneth Stewart cleared him of both charges.
Sheriff Stewart said of Pc Forbes: "I wish to make it clear that I take a sympathetic view of the circumstances in which he found himself."
Both officers refused to comment after the case.
Superintendent Colin Brown, head of the Grampian Police professional standards department, said: "We have followed the proceedings closely and the noted the outcomes and the comments that have been made.
"A report in relation to this matter will now be prepared for the deputy chief constable.
"In line with good employment practice, it is not appropriate for Grampian Police to make any further comment on this matter."