Police officer crashed unmarked police van on blue lights
Former police constable for Wiltshire Police, Peter Lawson (Image: Newsquest) A FORMER Wiltshire Police Officer has been sentenced after being found guilty of crashing an unmarked police vehicle and then driving away. PC Peter Lawson, 49, from Anzio Road, Devizes, was sentenced after being found guilty of driving without due care and attention and failing to stop at the scene of a collision whilst he was on duty.
He was driving a marked Mercedes Benz Sprinter police van on blue lights when he was involved in a crash involving two cars - a Citreon C4 and a Skoda Superb - on the A4 Avenue of La Fleche in Chippenham on December 7, 2022, where he then drove off without providing the necessary details. He was subsequently identified as the officer involved and the case was referred to Wiltshire Police's Professional Standards Department. Lawson was suspended from the force.
The former officer denied the offences on July 19 at Swindon[1] Magistrates Court where he pleaded not guilty to failing to stop after a road accident, driving without due care and attention and failure to report an accident. But after appearing at a trial at Bristol Magistrates Court on Monday, November 13, a guilty verdict as delivered on all three counts. Lawson was fined GBP600 for the offence of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision, had his licence endorsed with five points and was ordered to pay GBP775 to the Crown Prosecution Service and a victim surcharge of GBP480.
He was fined a further GBP600 for driving without due care and attention with the court ordering this must be paid in full by December 11 of this year. Detective Superintendent Liz Coles said: "We expect police officers to reflect the highest standards of conduct while carrying out their duties. "Clearly Peter Lawson's illegal actions fell far short of the expectations that the public should expect of a serving police officer.
"His actions have potentially damaging consequences in terms of the trust and confidence of the communities we serve."
Lawson has since resigned from the force and a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police has confirmed that there could be further action against the former officer.
"Misconduct proceedings can now commence and we will inform the public as this progresses," they said.