A police officer has pleaded not guilty to driving without due care and attention which resulted in two teenagers suffering serious injuries.

PC David French was in a police van at the time of the incident on Grewgrass Lane, New Marske, in the early hours of May 22.

The 38-year-old’s vehicle collided with a Vauxhall Corse resulting in it flipping onto its side leaving the two teenagers injured.

Two Cleveland Police officers were also taken to hospital for treatment following the crash and discharged.

Following an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation (IOPC) the case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service which authorised the charge.

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PC French spoke only to confirm his name and address before entering his not-guilty plea in front of District Judge Helen Cousins.

The trial will take place on March 10 next year at 10am at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

French was granted unconditional bail until he next appears in court.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the IOPC said: "We received a mandatory referral from the force following the incident on Grewgrass Lane, on 22 May 2022, in which a police van and Vauxhall Corsa collided.

"The occupants of the Corsa, an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, both suffered serious injuries. Following the conclusion of our investigation, in October 2022 we referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charge."

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