Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
A police officer has been sentenced for causing the death of a moped rider due to careless driving.
PC Ian Brotherton, attached to the North Area Command Unit, was driving a marked police van responding to an emergency call when he collided with a moped being ridden by 26-year-old Cristopher de Carvalho Guedes in Enfield on 12 October 2023.
At a hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, 3 January, PC Brotherton pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. He was sentenced at the same court on Thursday, 27 February to six months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months. He was also given 150 hours’ community service and was disqualified from driving for 30 months.
The court proceedings follow an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Commander Hayley Sewart, responsible for local policing in north London, said: “The family and friends of Cristopher de Carvalho Guedes have lost a loved one due to the careless driving of one of our officers. I know there is little I can say that will alleviate the pain they will be suffering, but I hope today’s result brings some form of closure.
“We train our officers to the highest driving standards, and when these are not met it is only right that they are held accountable.”
The incident happened at around 15:00hrs on 12 October 2023 as PC Brotherton was responding to an emergency call. He was driving a van using blue lights and sirens and accelerated through a red traffic light before the collision occurred at the junction of Southbury Road with Baird Road.
The van stopped at the scene and officers provided first aid before Mr Guedes was taken to hospital for treatment, where he sadly died.
A referral was made to the IOPC.
Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, PC Brotherton will face a misconduct hearing on Monday, 24 March.