Police officer admits killing former regional daily photographer
A police officer has admitted killing a 'legendary' former regional daily press photographer who died after being hit by a police vehicle. Trevor Bartlett, who spent his entire career with the Nottingham Post[1], was killed while walking home from his local pub[2] in December 2023. Nottinghamshire police constable Steven Allcock was driving the van with a prisoner in the back when he struck the 80-year-old as he crossed the A52 near his home in Beeston.
Allcock, of Toton, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving[3] at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court.
Former Nottingham Post photographer Trevor Bartlett, right, with former Nottingham Forest manager and friend Brian Clough. Trevor joined the Post at the age of 17 and remained with the paper for 45 years, becoming firm friends with former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough. Before his retirement at the age of 62, he captured many memorable images of Clough's European Cup-winning side, as well as covering the 1989 Kegworth air disaster.
The court heard that Trevor had been crossing the road near the Nurseryman pub in Beeston on the evening of 21 December 2023. The prisoner in the police van was "kicking off" which momentarily distracted the officer, who was travelling at what forensic collision investigators estimated to be between 25mph and 28mph. Liz Reid, prosecuting, said PC Allcock was a trained response driver meaning he can legally exceed the speed limit and drive through red lights, so long as the road is clear.
She said: "The speed estimated by the forensic collision examiners at the time of the collision was 25mph to 28mph, the light was red and Mr Bartlett had been crossing for seven seconds." District judge Jonathan Taaffe said: "What I have here is a man of good character, a serving police officer, who was on operational duties driving a police van, inside which someone is kicking off in the back of the van. "There then appears to be some momentary distraction and Mr Bartlett was unfortunately killed.
It is not a case where somebody is driving dangerously or that the speed was inappropriate when approaching the crossing." Adjourning sentence until February 12, he said: "I initially wanted to conclude the case with sentence today but one thing I had not noted down was to check whether or not the relatives of the deceased wanted to come to court. "And it is likely given the nature of the circumstances they might want to be and that is not an unreasonable thing so I am going to adjourn your case and deal with you to its conclusion on February 12."
The Independent[4] Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) had previously referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service , which, after examining the evidence, authorised the charge against PC Allcock. IOPC director Emily Barry said: "Our sympathies are with Mr Bartlett's family and everyone affected by his death in such tragic circumstances. "While the investigation we carried out identified some mitigating factors for PC Allcock, including the behaviour of a detainee self-harming in the back of the police van, it was our view that he could and should have reasonably foreseen the risk of harm to members of the public when approaching a red traffic light and amended his driving style to mitigate this risk.
"The officer's actions have now resulted in his conviction, following his admission in court today. We also found PC Allcock had a case to answer for gross misconduct in relation to his driving prior to the collision and after his sentencing we will progress that with Nottinghamshire Police." A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: "As this investigation is being run by the IOPC, It would be inappropriate for us to comment at this stage."
A disciplinary hearing will be arranged at a later date.
It is currently not known whether PC Allcock is still a serving officer in the force.
References
- ^ Nottingham Post (www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk)
- ^ killed while walking home from his local pub (www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk)
- ^ pleaded guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ The Independent (www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk)