A policeman charged in connection with the death of a pedestrian on New Year's Day has had the case against him dropped.

Martin Douglas, 41, was hit by the car at around 4.20am on New Year’s Day in Edinburgh.

He was crossing Union Place near the Playhouse Theatre with his wife, Lisa, when he was hit by a black Toyota. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but died a short time later.

A 25-year-old off-duty police officer was later charged after allegedly driving off and returning to the scene.

The officer was charged five days later but the case has now been dropped by the Crown.

A spokesman for the Crown Office said: “The procurator fiscal at Edinburgh received a report concerning a 25-year-old male in connection with an incident on January 1, 2011.

“After full and careful consideration of the evidence in the case, Crown counsel decided that there should be no criminal proceedings.”