A POLICE officer accused of death by careless driving has been cleared after a trial.

Metropolitan police constable Jack Sheeran, 25, was involved in a fatal crash in March 2019.

David Norris, 53, died after a collision between his motorcycle and a Seat Ibiza driven by Sheeran in Ulting Lane, Ulting.

Sheeran denied a charge of causing death by careless driving.

After three hours and 39 minutes of deliberation, a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court returned a not guilty verdict.

Sheeran broke down in tears upon hearing the verdict.

Read more: Police officer from Mersea on trial over death of biker David Norris

Sheeran was returning from a training course in Gravesend, Kent, to his home in Mersea on the day of the crash.

The court heard how he left the A12 to take a detour along country roads, due to heavy traffic.

Sheeran told the jury with about 40 minutes of the journey remaining, he decided to find a place to stop so he could relieve his bladder.

Sheeran confirmed to the court he had taken part in two telephone calls before the crash, utilising the hands-free technology in his car.

He was looking for a “small slip road” to turn into, where he could safely park.

He spotted a farm track down the road and had slowed his car to about 10mph to make the turn.

Sheeran said checks of the road ahead and in his mirrors revealed no other traffic, so he “believed it was clear to make the turn”.

He said: “As I started to turn the car I have had another glance around ahead of me to make sure there was nothing there.

“Out of the passenger window I could see a motorcycle.”

Sheeran said the crash unfolded in “a split second”, with the motorcycle coming up onto its front wheel as Mr Norris tried in vain to stop before the impact.

He told the jury he felt “panic and pain, and was scared”.

Sheeran said he went to the aid of Mr Norris, grabbing a first aid kit from his car and attempting CPR before paramedics arrived.

He said: “I was scared, upset, not just at being involved. I thought I did everything I could but it obviously wasn’t enough. So I was questioning whether I could have done more.”