A Metropolitan Police officer accused of killing a great-grandmother by careless driving while in a motorcade for the Duchess of Edinburgh is set to stand trial next year.
PC Christopher Harrison, 67, was riding a BMW R1200 motorcycle when he struck 81-year-old Helen Holland in West Cromwell Road in Earl’s Court on May 10 last year.
Mrs Holland, who hails from Birchanger in Essex, suffered brain damage and was in hospital for two weeks before she died from her injuries.
She had been visiting her sister in London on the day of the crash.
At the Old Bailey on Wednesday, Harrison, from Billericay, appeared in the dock to plead not guilty to causing death by careless driving.
He was part of the royal escort for Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, on the day of the crash. Buckingham Palace said the Duchess was "deeply saddened" by Mrs Holland’s death and had reached out privately in the aftermath to offer her "deepest condolences".
Harrison indicated he intends to fight the charge when he first appeared in court last month.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London, adjourned the case for a trial on November 10 next year.
The trial is expected to last up to five days, and is due to be overseen by a High Court judge.
Harrison was set free on unconditional bail until the trial.
A pre-trial hearing is expected to take place on May 23 next year.
