A Metropolitan Police officer is facing possible jail after admitting knocking over and killing a moped rider while responding to an emergency call.
PC Ian Brotherton, 32, was driving at 47mph in a 30mph zone when his marked police van crashed into Cristopher De Carvalho Guedes, 26.
The police van, which had its lights and sirens on, had gone through a red light in Southbury Road in Enfield, north London, before colliding with Mr Guedes, who was turning right into Baird Road at about 3pm on October 12 2023.
Brotherton stopped at the scene and officers provided first aid before Mr Guedes was taken to hospital, where he died the following day.
The officer was placed on restricted duties while an independent investigation was carried out.
Charges were brought against Brotherton at the conclusion of the investigation by watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
On Friday, Brotherton denied causing death by dangerous driving but admitted the lesser alternative of causing Mr Guedes’s death by careless driving.
Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC accepted the plea and confirmed that the victim’s family, who live in Brazil, had been consulted after an earlier indication of plea.
Judge Nigel Lickley KC adjourned the Old Bailey sentencing until 2pm on February 27 and said it would be heard before the Recorder of London.
He granted the defendant, from east Hertfordshire, continued bail but imposed an interim driving ban.
The judge told the defendant: “The fact I am adjourning your sentence to another day and continuing your bail must not be seen as indicating any particular sentencing options. All sentencing options, including immediate custody, remain available.
“From this day you are disqualified from driving until further order.”
After the hearing, Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, of Scotland Yard, said: “My thoughts and sympathy remain with the family and friends of Cristopher de Carvalho Guedes at this enormously difficult time.
“They have lost a loved one due to the careless driving of one of our officers and, while the judicial process has now concluded and PC Brotherton has admitted his guilt, I know there is little I can say that will alleviate the pain they will be suffering.
“Police drivers are trained to the highest standards and while they have certain exemptions when driving police vehicles on public roads, they know they are accountable should their actions fall below these standards.
“In this case, an independent investigation conducted by the IOPC, which we fully supported, has gathered all the evidence from that day and Pc Brotherton has admitted to causing Mr Guedes’s death due to his careless driving.
“While he has shown remorse for his actions, it is right that he has been held to account for his actions.”
Scotland Yard said that now criminal proceedings have concluded, Brotherton will face a misconduct hearing
