by Keith Hunt

A police officer on a surveillance operation was driving dangerously when he killed a driver in a head-on smash, a court heard today.

Nigel Brown’s unmarked Skoda Octavia was straddling the central white line, while victim Felicity Austin’s Renault Megane was on the correct side of the road at the time of the collision.

The 29-year-old playgroup assistant was travelling at about 14mph, while Brown’s car was doing around 55mph.

"The combined force, though, was substantial," said prosecutor Peter Forbes.

"The front of each vehicle was crushed and although she was wearing a seatbelt, Felicity Austin sustained severe injuries from which she died instantaneously."

Mr Forbes told Maidstone Crown Court: "Nothing permits a police officer to drive dangerously. He should be judged by the same standards as everyone else."

The tragedy happened near a bend on the A21 Pembury Road in Pembury, Kent, at lunchtime on May 5 last year.

Mr Forbes said Brown, 47, was part of a Metropolitian Police team following a "target" from London.

Although unmarked, cars driven by Brown and another officer activated their flashing lights and sirens as they overtook vehicles on the stretch of road.

Traffic moved to the side of the road to let the officers by. The first police car went through without incident.

Mr Forbes said the traffic "regrouped", perhaps not realising there was a second police car driven by Brown.

Miss Austin, who lived in nearby Hadlow, had been shopping in Tunbridge Wells and was travelling in the opposite direction towards Tonbridge.

In front of the engaged mother-of-three was a Ford Galaxy, but the driver managed to get out of the way of the Skoda, flinching as it went past.

He then heard a loud crash behind him. Miss Austin braked heavily and was in second gear. She had remained within her lane.

Miss Austin’s car was shunted backwards to the verge on her side of the road. The Skoda rotated so that it was almost facing in the opposite direction.

When interviewed, he maintained he was driving safely within his capabilities, monitoring traffic.

He also maintained Miss Austin’s car pulled into the centre of the road, moving towards his path.

But said Mr Forbes: "The Crown maintains that overtaking, driving down the road at that speed approaching a bend in traffic was inherently dangerous."

Other Metropolitian Police officers, he added, would give evidence anonymously from behind screens.

Brown, whose address cannot be given for legal reasons, denies causing death by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.