A POLICE officer is to stand trial, accused of seriously injuring a seven-year-girl, after a marked police car hit her as she crossed the road.

Gary Johnston, of Tayside Police, is accused of driving the police car dangerously while on duty on November 13 last year.

It is alleged Johnston caused the Ford Focus car to collide with a man and his seven-year-old daughter – who cannot be named for legal reasons – on Dundee's Douglas Road.

Johnston, 27, whose address was given on court papers as Tayside Police Headquarters, did not appear at Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday to face the charge against him.

Fiscal depute Donna Davidson said a letter had been received by defence lawyer Gary McIlravey pleading not guilty to the charge.

Sheriff Colin McCrory set a trial date for late November and ordered Johnston to appear for a pre-trial hearing earlier that month.