The family of a motorcyclist who died in a crash said they never wanted to endure a trial after a police officer accused of causing death by careless driving was cleared.

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

David Norris, 53, from Billericay, 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.

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Norris’s partner Tina Low, 53, said the family had only ever wanted an apology and did not want to endure a court case.

She said: “It’s been a really difficult two years for me and my family, the wait being made even longer because of Covid.

“Sadly where an apology of error would have been so much appreciated and gone a long way to healing our pain, we have had to endure a court hearing that was never our choice.

“We feel David was vilified in court and was unable to defend himself, something we found highly distressing.

"We all miss him as much today as we did when he was tragically taken from us.”

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During the trial, the court heard 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 diversion 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.

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

While looking for somewhere to stop, he spotted a farm track 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.