A GWENT Police officer is on trial accused of causing the death by dangerous driving of a motorcyclist.

PC Christopher Browning, 28, who serves in A division in Newport, denies causing death by dangerous driving of Usk prison officer Gordon Bowyer, 44, in an off-duty crash last April 13.

Prosecutor Hywel Hughes told Cardiff crown court yesterday that Browning, of The Highway, New Inn, Pontypool, drove his red Peugeot 307 from a petrol station onto the A467 near Crumlin.

Mr Hughes said that at about 12.15pm, Mr Bowyer, from Maesycwmmer, was travelling along the A467 from Newbridge towards a set of traffic lights at Crumlin on his way to work.

Mr Hughes said that Browning, emerged from the petrol station to travel in the same direction as Mr Bowyer.

As he did so, he said, Mr Bowyer tried to take evasive action and there was "minimal contact".

But Mr Bowyer lost control and as the machine hit the pavement, he was thrown from it and hit the electricity box.

Mr Bowyer was taken to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital but didn't recover consciousness and died at about 1.10pm.

Mr Hughes said a witness, motorist Robert George, became aware of the motorcycle overtaking him a short distance from the incident at about 80mph.

He said he saw the motorcycle go into a sweeping right-hand bend and was aware of the Peugeot reaching the centre of the road.

The brake lights came on the motorcycle and it started to wobble.

Mr Hughes said there appeared to be a gap of about one metre between the car and the kerb which the motorcycle went towards.

Natalie Ruffin was driving a gold Peugeot when the motorbike overtook her car and another two in front at traffic lights just before the accident.

"I was going between 20 and 30 mph and I remember commenting to my partner of being surprised at the motorbike's movement," she said.

Her partner Martin Powell who was a passenger said: "The actions of the bike caused us alarm."

Driving instructor Brian Neal said the bike overtook his car at high speeds in excess of 60 mph.

Proceeding.