A POLICE motorcyclist who pursued a biker before a fatal crash had not received the duty inspector's go-ahead, a jury inquest heard.

Robert Shaw, of Driffield Close, Bentilee, below, died on June 21, 2005, after failing to stop for PC Eric Moorfield in Lichfield Street, Hanley.

The 25-year-old was on an untaxed and uninsured Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle, and was also serving a four-year driving ban.

PC Robert Thomas, who was on duty at the time, told a nine-person jury at Hanley Town Hall yesterday he had held an advanced driving licence for 18 years and had been involved in many pursuits.

On the day of the crash, he said he had picked up a radio message from PC Moorfield while at Hanley Police Station, saying a vehicle had "made off".

He had been on his way to assist when he received news of the accident and made his way to Werrington Road, Bucknall.

He said: "I saw a person lying on the floor, on the footpath. I asked if there was anything I could do. I did see PC Moorfield. He appeared to be very upset. He was worried about the person on the floor."

Adrian Keeling, representing PC Moorfield, questioned PC Thomas about the correct procedure for a police pursuit.

He said: "Is it not true that there is the initial phase and a tactical phase? The initial stage is before full permission has been given. Only the duty inspector can give that permission?"

"Yes", PC Thomas replied.

Mr Keeling said: "The initial phase is an information-gathering phase. What is happening, what type of driving is going on, what might the person driving be wanted for."

"Yes," PC Thomas replied.

Mr Keeling said: "It is clear, therefore, that this pursuit never left the initial phase and never entered the tactical phase?" PC Thomas agreed.

Mr Keeling added: "No information ever came from the duty inspector to give authority or not to give authority?" "Yes," said PC Thomas. The officer told the inquest it was police procedure to make the control room aware as soon as officers became involved in a pursuit, as PC Moorfield had done on the day in question.

He said this was so further checks could be made on the vehicle and other methods looked at for stopping the driver.

Mr Keeling said: "This is because he has to a certain extent his hands full in conducting the pursuit."

"Yes", replied PC Thomas.

The inquest heard a post-mortem examination showed Mr Shaw died as a result of brain injuries sustained in the accident.

A statement was read to the inquest by forensic scientist Marcus John Donohue, who said he had found cannabis present in Mr Shaw's blood.

He said: "It is difficult to predict how long the cannabis had been in the system. For heavy users it can remain for several days after use."

The inquest continues.

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