IPCC called in over death of Stokesley man killed in road accident as teenagers appear in court (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

IPCC called in over death of Stokesley man killed in road accident as teenagers appear in court

11:08am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News By Matt Westcott

THE Independent Police Complaints Commission has been called in over the death of a Stokesley man killed when he was hit by a Range Rover.

Douglas Scott Robertson died in a collision involving the silver 4x4 which was being driven along the town's North Road at around 12.20pm on Saturday when it left the road.

Mr Robertson had been walking into town from his nearby home.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "The circumstances leading up to the fatal collision involving the Range Rover have been carefully reviewed by North Yorkshire Police.

"It is clear that a vehicle matching the description of the Range Rover was involved in two earlier incidents that were reported to the force on the morning of Saturday 19 January 2013. One was at a service station near the Darlington border and another in Stokesley.

"As soon as it became apparent that these previous incidents were connected to the vehicle involved in the Stokesley collision, as well as the sighting of the suspect vehicle by a North Yorkshire Police patrol prior to the collision, and following reference to the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s (IPCC) statutory guidance, North Yorkshire Police immediately referred the incident to the IPCC."

Assistant Chief Constable Iain Spittal, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "It is critically important to me that our communities have trust and confidence in the role undertaken by North Yorkshire Police.

“The referral is to allow the IPCC to access the circumstances to determine what level of IPCC involvement, if any, is needed.

“Our main focus remains on gathering information to bring those responsible for this tragedy to justice, our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of Mr Robertson, the man who died.

“Information from the public is vital to police investigations such as this, and we thank the local community for their assistance, support and cooperation during this investigation.”

Officers continue to appeal for information about the collision. Anyone who noticed the silver Range Rover travelling through Stokesley on Saturday morning, or who witnessed the collision on North Road is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass information to the Force Control Room.

If you prefer to remain anonymous you can pass details to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Two people, a youth aged 15 and a man aged 18, are appearing at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court today (22 January 2013), charged with a number of offences in connection with the collision.

A third man aged 23, arrested last night, remains in police custody and a fourth man is due at court on February 8 charged with obstructing the police during the course of the investigation.