‘Distracted’ police officer who killed pensioner in Midlands crash walks free from court

Steven Allcock killed Trevor Bartlett as he was walking home from his local pub

17:30, 13 Feb 2026

Steven Allcock, 33, arrives at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court

A police officer who mowed down a pensioner at a pedestrian crossing after running a red light has walked free from court.

Steven Allcock was behind the wheel of a van when he struck and killed Trevor Bartlett, 80, as he was walking home from his local pub.

The 34-year-old was said to be in an 'extremely stressful situation' at the time as an arrested man 'banged' his head on the cage walls in the back of the police van.

Retired Nottingham Post photographer Mr Bartlett died at the scene of the crash on the A52 Derby Road in Beeston, Nottinghamshire - near the Nurseryman pub - on December 19, 2023.

Dad-of-two Allcock admitted causing death by careless driving in what a judge said was 'an absolute tragedy for all concerned'.

He was handed a 12-month community order, with 180 hours unpaid work.

The court heard how a man who had been arrested was 'banging his head' on the cage walls in the back of the police van.

This put Allcock - a police constable with Nottinghamshire Police - in an 'extremely stressful situation' while he was driving.

Sentencing Allcock, District Judge Jonathan Taaffe said: "The loss of life was needless and in circumstances that led to Allcock before the court and, I am sure, showing genuine remorse for what has occurred.

"He was distracted by the actions of the suspect in the back of the police van acting in a... random, aggressive and appalling manner.

"Allcock lives with that daily and will live with the consequences financially and otherwise.

"In trying to do good, he has ended up causing this awful tragedy."

Allcock - who has worked for the Nottinghamshire force since 2020 - was going to follow the van in a separate police car but he 'volunteered and made the decision to drive the van himself' due to the suspect's disruptive behaviour.

Body-worn camera footage of the detainee repeatedly banging his head in the van was shown to the court, with a female officer telling him to 'stop' and 'calm down'.

The van Allcock was driving was travelling between 25 and 28mph when it struck Mr Bartlett.

Traffic lights turned from green to amber 13 seconds before the collision when the police van was 420 metres away from the crossing.

Mr Bartlett had been on the pedestrian crossing for about seven seconds while the traffic light was red.

He had 'moved quickly trying to complete his crossing' when the crash happened.

The police van was travelling in a bus lane with blue lights and sirens on at the time.

Allcock, who stood in front of the dock donning a navy suit and blue tie, had only recently trained as a standard response driver.

He could legally exceed the speed limit and drive through red lights in some circumstances, the court heard.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Reid said officers must make sure the way is clear when going through a red light.

Ms Reid said: "He approached the crossing at a speed which allowed him insufficient time to adequately react to Mr Bartlett's presence on the crossing."

Luke Ponte, defending, said Allcock expresses his 'great sorrow and pain' about what happened.

Mr Ponte added: "Allcock is devastated that he caused the death of Mr Bartlett.

"His adult life, as you have seen, has been given to public service to help people."

A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with Mr Bartlett's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

We cannot imagine the pain this tragic incident continues to cause them.

"The investigation has been led by the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) and following the conclusion of the court case, the officer will now be subject to internal disciplinary proceedings.

"Unfortunately, we therefore cannot comment at this stage until these proceedings take place."

Elizabeth Reid, specialist prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service's special crime division, said: "This was a tragic and wholly avoidable death.

"While police officers are permitted, in strictly limited circumstances, to rely on driving exemptions, those exemptions come with an absolute responsibility to protect the public.

"Pc Steven Allcock's manner of driving was careless and unjustified, and it directly caused the death of an innocent man who was simply walking home.

"Our thoughts remain with Trevor Bartlett's family, whose lives have been permanently changed by this devastating loss."

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