Officer found guilty for death of woman, 74, he struck while driving police car

A police officer who ran a red light while rushing to the aid of an infant has been found guilty of causing the death of a pensioner by dangerous driving. PC Mark Roberts, of Northumbria Police, was travelling in a marked car with his blue lights activated as he was dispatched to provide ambulance assistance responding to calls a baby was choking, reports Chronicle Live[1]. Teesside Crown Court heard this week that the cop rushed through a red light on the journey.

As he did so, his vehicle crashed into an elderly couple on a motorcycle on Dunston Road, Gateshead, on July 8, 2022. The driver of the bike, Ronald Pinkney, then 77, and his passenger wife, Muriel Pinkney, 74, were thrown into the air after the collision and sustained serious injuries. Tragically, Muriel died at the scene.

The officer, who has since been suspended from duty, has been facing trial this week at Teesside Crown Court after being charged with causing the death by dangerous driving and of causing serious injury of dangerous driving to Mr Pinkney.

He was 77 at the time of the crash and sustained several fractures. On Wednesday, after around an hour of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts. The court heard Roberts, who lives in Darlington, was on duty in a marked police car at around 3pm when he was dispatched to a Grade 1 emergency to support ambulance crews after reports of a baby choking.

His police car sirens were turned on as he drove to the scene. Around the same time, Mr and Mrs Pinkney were on a motorcycle travelling on the A1 southbound after a day out in Northumberland. They then approaching traffic lights at Dunston Road.

John Harrison KC, prosecuting, told the court on Monday: "Mr Pinkney rode up towards Dunston Road at about 20mph. The traffic lights went to green as he rode through them towards Whickham. "He did not see or hear the defendant's vehicle approach and continued through the lights.

Mr Roberts went through a red light and collided with the side of the bike." The jury heard that the couple were thrown from the bike, with Mrs Pinkney sustaining fatal injuries. Her cause of death was said to be the result of blunt force head and neck injuries.

Mr Pinkney sustained multiple fractures. Following the crash, police launched an investigation. The collision had also been captured on Mr Pinkney's motorcycle helmet camera as well as another motorist's dash-cam.

Both videos were shown to the jury. The jury heard that Roberts was driving between 40mph and 56mph at the time of the collision. He had gone through a red light which had been on for around six seconds.

Moments before the collision with the Pinkneys' motorbike, Roberts said he saw a white van make an emergency stop. "I couldn't see anything else before travelling towards the junction," the officer said in his statement, which was read out in court on Tuesday. "The next thing I recall is there was a bang and both airbags deployed and I hit the windscreen, which knocked me out for a few seconds." He then saw two people on the ground with crash helmets on.

He blacked out again and was treated in an ambulance and then taken to hospital.

Police statement

Assistant Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, Andy Hill, said: "I'm fully aware that no words will make the pain of Mr Pinkney, his family and anyone impacted by this tragic incident, any easier. On behalf of Northumbria Police, I wish to express my sincere condolences for your loss. "As is standard practice, this incident was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who carried out an investigation and referred a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration of criminal charges.

"Today (Wednesday), that has resulted in PC Mark Roberts being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Teesside Crown Court. He remains suspended at this time and we will be progressing misconduct proceedings. Each and every day we respond to emergencies and thankfully tragedies of this nature are extremely rare.

"Officers are highly-trained and supported to help ensure they keep both themselves and the public safe. Regrettably, on this occasion the standard of driving fell short of what it is expected which has led to the most devastating of outcomes." Following the guilty verdicts, the court heard that Roberts has since been suspended from Northumbria Police.

Judge Francis Laird KC ordered a pre-sentence report and told Roberts he will be sentenced on Tuesday, April 7.

He was granted bail until that date.

References

1. ^ reports Chronicle Live (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)