POLICE OFFICER WHO RAN RED LIGHT CAUSED PENSIONER'S DEATH
A Midlands police officer who ran a red light and caused the death of an 80-year-old pedestrian has admitted causing his death.Steven Allcock was behind the wheel of a police van when he ran a red light and hit retired newspaper photographer Trevor Bartlett.
The 33-year-old, a police constable with Nottinghamshire Police, appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on January 29 and pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.
He was traveling between 25 and 28mph when the vehicle struck Mr Bartlett, who was on a pedestrian crossing on the A52 Derby Road in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, on December 19, 2023.
Mr Bartlett had been on the crossing for about seven seconds while the traffic light was red.
The investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) revealed that the police van was taking a detainee to a custody facility, traveling in a bus lane with blue lights and sirens on.
Allcock, of Toton, Nottinghamshire, had a provisional response driver status, allowing him to legally exceed speed limits and run red lights under certain circumstances.
Prosecutor Elizabeth Reid stated: "When approaching a red light, they must treat it as a stop or give way and ensure the road is clear and have sufficient space to stop if it’s not clear.
The officer was entitled to drive through a red but was driving at an inappropriate speed and did not make sure the way was clear." District Judge Jonathan Taaffe commented: "Allcock was trying to do the public good but ended up in this tragic circumstance.
He is a man of good character, with operational duties.
There appears to be some collision with Mr Bartlett, and he’s unfortunately lost his life." He added: "There are no winners in this situation; Mr Bartlett’s family has lost him through no fault of his own, and there must be consequences." Allcock, who was dressed in a navy suit and blue tie for the hearing, was granted unconditional bail and will be sentenced on February 12.
The IOPC director Emily Barry expressed her sympathies to Mr Bartlett’s family and stated that, despite some mitigating factors, Allcock could have reasonably foreseen the risk of harm and should have altered his driving style.
Following his admission, he has been convicted and faces potential gross misconduct proceedings with Nottinghamshire Police.
