A Metropolitan Police officer who fatally collided with a moped rider in north London while responding to an emergency has escaped a prison sentence.
PC Ian Brotherton, aged 32, was traveling at 47 mph (75 km/h) in a 30 mph (50 km/h) zone when his marked police vehicle struck 26-year-old Cristopher De Carvalho Guedes on October 12, 2023, in Enfield.
Although the officer from east Hertfordshire contested the charge of causing death by dangerous driving, he conceded to the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.
During a hearing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Brotherton received a six-month prison sentence, which has been suspended for 18 months.
Additionally, he was ordered to perform 150 hours of community service and banned from driving for a period of 30 months.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC recognized Brotherton’s expressed regret but emphasized that “As a trained police driver engaged in your duties, your driving must be assessed against the standards expected of officers.”
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reported that on the afternoon of October 12, 2023, Brotherton was driving a marked police van on Southbury Road while responding to an emergency call with activated blue lights and sirens.
Approaching a red traffic light at the intersection with Baird Road, he failed to stop or slow down and crossed the junction, colliding with a moped.
Mr. De Carvalho Guedes was ejected from the moped and sustained severe injuries.
Paramedics treated him on-site before he was transported to the Royal London Hospital, where he later passed away, as stated by the CPS.
Via video link from Brazil, Mr. Guedes’ family participated in the sentencing and described him as a “joy,” “irreplaceable,” and a gifted football player.
They urged for the officer’s dismissal over the “30-second” mistake that altered their lives permanently.
Rachael Taylor of the CPS remarked, “PC Ian Brotherton, as a police response driver, had undergone training on safely navigating traffic lights that are red while engaged in an emergency response.”
“However, on that occasion, his driving did not meet the standards required from an officer who is trained for the conditions of London roads in such situations,” she continued. “It is only fitting that he has been held accountable for his actions that resulted in this tragic incident.”
Defense attorney Robert Morris said, “Mr. Brotherton contemplates this tragic event every day. It has had a profoundly devastating effect on Mr. Guedes and his family. He wishes he could change what happened that day.”
Morris further stated, “He believed he was responding to a legitimate emergency and thought that other road users would notice his sirens and lights. He was gravely mistaken.”
Charges were filed against Brotherton following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
IOPC director Amanda Rowe commented, “The death of Mr. Guedes was a preventable tragedy, and our condolences go out to his family and all others impacted by this incident.”
“Even though the driving guidelines allow officers to go through red lights and exceed speed limits when responding to emergencies, such actions are unacceptable if the officer’s driving endangers others,” she added.
The court also noted that Brotherton is scheduled to attend a police misconduct hearing on March 26.
The post Met Police Officer Avoids Jail Time After Fatal Collision with Moped Rider During Emergency Response first appeared on London.
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Author : London News
Publish date : 2025-02-27 16:42:49
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