A police officer has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after he hit a schoolgirl in his patrol car, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Hayley Adamson, 16, from Newcastle, was crossing Denton Road in the city with friends on the night on May 19 when the marked Northumbria Police car hit her.

PC John James Dougal, who was driving at the time, will face the charge, the CPS said.

The collision was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Hayley's family have been informed of the decision to charge the driver.

A second police officer, who was driving another marked patrol car behind the one which struck the teenager, will not be charged, the CPS said.

Chris Emzor, the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS in Durham, said: "Following a thorough investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, I confirm my decision to charge PC John James Dougal of Northumbria Police with causing death by dangerous driving.

"PC Dougal was driving his patrol car that struck Hayley Adamson.

"In relation to another officer who was driving a second patrol car behind Pc Dougal's vehicle, I have decided that there is not sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

"My thoughts are with Hayley's family at this difficult time."

Solicitor Brian Hegarty, on behalf of the teenager's mother, Yvonne Adamson, and older sister, Sarah Ridley, said: "As part of their ongoing quest for justice for Hayley, they are pleased that the officer will have to answer for his actions in a criminal court."

Northumbria Police said PC Dougal remained suspended and would do so until the outcome of the court case.

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