Northumbria Police cleared of wrongdoing over pursuit which led to death of Paul Collinson

Northumbria Police has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a pursuit which led to the death of Paul Collinson.

The 54-year-old dad was killed when coke-fuelled Kyle Hutchinson crashed into him outside the County Hotel pub, in Walker.

The danger driver, from Wallsend, was sentenced to eight years in a young offenders' institution for the smash, which also injured three people.

Prior to the crash, 20-year-old Hutchinson took police on a  pursuit through residential streets at speeds of up to 82mph after he "panicked" when an office tried pulling his VW Passat over.

During the high-speed pursuit, on September 23 last year, he swerved to avoid a taxi and drove on the wrong side of the road before crushing Mr Collinson.

Popular Paul was later pronounced dead at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Paul Collinson (left), with his son Paul, who died after being hit by a vehicle outside the County Hotel pub on Walker Road, Newcastle (PA)

Following the tragedy, an investigation was launched by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).

The watchdog said there is "no indication" the officer who pursued Hutchinson did anything wrong.

Investigators examined evidence, including CCTV and audio, of the incident which showed the officer had illuminated the blue lights only for Hutchinson to speed off.

The report said: "The officer pursued the Passat for less than two minutes before losing sight of it and abandoning the pursuit.

"The evidence indicated that the officer conducted dynamic risk assessments throughout the pursuit and correctly assessed that he should abandon it once it was no longer proportionate to continue.

"The evidence also showed that the officer complied at all times with his training and local and national policies and guidance."

In June, Hutchinson was locked up after he admitted causing death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance.

In court, Mr Collinson's daughter Donna said: “You have robbed us of an amazing man. My dad was a much loved and respected gentleman.

“He had a tough exterior but was soft inside, especially with his grandkids. He was not well educated but was a professor of life."

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said the force welcomed the outcome of the IOPC investigation.