A Met Police officer has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a moped rider in north London due to careless driving while responding to an emergency.
London: A Metropolitan Police officer has admitted to causing the death of a moped rider because of careless driving. This happened while he was responding to an emergency call in Enfield.
Police Constable Ian Brotherton was behind the wheel of a marked police van when he crashed into 26-year-old Cristopher de Carvalho Guedes on October 12, 2023.
During a hearing at the Old Bailey, Brotherton, who is 32, pleaded guilty to the charge of causing death by careless driving. He’s set to be sentenced on February 27, and for now, he’s been disqualified from driving.
Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines expressed her condolences to Guedes’ family, saying it’s a tough time for them. She acknowledged that they lost a loved one due to the officer’s careless actions.
She mentioned that police drivers are trained to high standards and are accountable for their actions, even when responding to emergencies. An independent investigation by the IOPC confirmed that Brotherton’s driving fell below those standards.
Brotherton has shown remorse, but Haines emphasized that it’s important he faces consequences for what happened. The incident occurred around 3 PM when Brotherton, with lights and sirens on, ran a red light and collided with Guedes, who was turning right.
After the crash, officers provided first aid, and Guedes was rushed to the hospital but sadly passed away. Following the incident, Brotherton was put on restricted duties while the IOPC conducted their investigation.
Now that the criminal case is over, he will also face a misconduct hearing.
Additional reporting by PA
