AN OFFICER accused of gross misconduct over a pensioner’s death is on a final warning.

PC Richard Harris’s patrol vehicle struck and killed pedestrian David Ormesher in Edward Street in Brighton three years ago.

An inquiry into the incident was held at Sussex Police headquarters in Lewes last week.

The PC was in tears as he described the incident and said it still affected him every day.

His colleague PC Samantha Cooper said the treatment of PC Harris had been “disgusting”, while Sussex Police Federation chairman Matt Webb said the three-year investigation was too long.

Inspector Webb said frontline officers need more protection from the uncertainty of investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

PC Harris was cleared of gross misconduct relating to the speed he drove at and narrowly crashing into two other vehicles. But three of the five misconduct claims against him were upheld, the IOPC said.

It means that PC Harris can resume his career as an officer, but has received a final written warning over the incident.

IOPC regional director Sarah Green said: “Our sympathies remain with Mr Ormesher’s family and friends.Now a police disciplinary panel, independently chaired, has made its decision that three out of the five allegations were proven, amounting to misconduct.”