A Merseyside Police officer whose patrol car struck a woman on Christmas Eve in 2022 has denied causing her death by careless driving.

Rachael Moore, 22, died on Sheil Road, Kensington, Liverpool, at 20:09 GMT, as she walked home from her job as a carer.

PC Scott Thompson, 32, of Wavertree, who had been responding to an emergency call, was charged earlier this month after a three-year investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, he elected to have a jury trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court rather than be dealt with by the magistrates’ court. He is set to appear in court on 8 January and was granted unconditional bail.

An inquest into Ms Moore’s death heard the officer had tried to provide first aid before paramedics arrived.

However, she died at the scene.

At the time of her death, Ms Moore’s family described her as a “cherished daughter” and a “caring friend to many”.