A Metropolitan Police motorcyclist has denied driving carelessly when he hit and killed a great-grandmother while escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh through London.
Christopher Harrison, 67, is accused of causing the death of Helen Holland, 81, by careless driving while part of a royal escort at Earl’s Court on May 10, 2023.
Holland, a mother of four, suffered serious injuries in the collision and died in hospital two weeks later on May 23, 2023.
Harrison, from Billericay, Essex, appeared at the Old Bailey wearing a black suit and navy tie and sat in the dock accompanied by a dock officer.
He denied causing the death by reckless driving.
The charge alleges that he caused Ms Holland’s death by driving a BMW R1200 motorcycle on West Cromwell Road without due care and attention.
Judge Mark Lucraft, KC, Recorder of London, said Harrison’s trial would take place on November 10 next year before a High Court judge.
Prosecutor Zoe Martin previously said: “The victim was a vulnerable road user.”
Christopher Harrison, 67, is accused of causing the death of Helen Holland, 81 (pictured), by careless driving while part of a royal escort at Earl’s Court on May 10, 2023.
The charge alleges that he caused Ms Holland’s death by driving a BMW R1200 motorcycle on West Cromwell Road without due care and attention. In the image: the scene of the accident.
In a statement issued at the time, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, said her “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” were with Holland and his family.
Mrs Holland, grandmother of ten and great-grandmother of seven, was knocked down at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road.
He was out for lunch with his sister, Dorothy Phillips, sharing a quiche and laughing about their teenage years before the siblings shared a touching goodbye hug and began their separate journey home.
But a few minutes later, at 3:20 p.m., Mrs. Holland was run over at a pedestrian crossing.
Mrs Phillips, who lived in nearby Earl’s Court for 45 years, said she did not find out her sister had been hit by a car until hours later, when she called her home in Birchanger, Essex, to make sure she had arrived safely. home.
The charge against Harrison was authorized following a review of the evidence by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
The Metropolitan Police Special Escort Group provides armed escorts for members of the Royal Family, VIPs, protected members of the Government, visiting royals, heads of state and other visiting dignitaries.
Mrs. Holland’s death is the first to be associated with the special escort group, although in 2019 the riders of the then Dukes of Cambridge ran over 83-year-old Irene Mayor, who suffered a broken leg, pelvis and a arm and a head injury.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, said in a statement following the incident that her “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” were with Helen Holland and her family.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said at the time: “The Duchess’s sincere thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family.”
“She is grateful for the quick response of the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments.” “It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time while the incident is being investigated.”
Harrison denies causing Holland’s death by reckless driving.
A pretrial review hearing will be held on May 23, but Harrison will not be required to attend. He remains free on unconditional bail.