GMP officer acquitted of causing death by dangerous driving

PC Mark Burrows, of GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, was driving an unmarked police car in pursuit of an Audi A3 that officers believed to be stolen when he collided with a Peugeot 108 at the junction of Oldham Road and Otmoor Way shortly after 10am.

Paramedics and an air ambulance attended and treated the driver of the Peugeot, Heather Smedley, 53, for her injuries but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Today (May 7), PC Burrows was acquitted by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving, and death by careless driving, after a trial at Chester Crown Court.

He had been charged following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after a mandatory referral from GMP.

GMP Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said: “Mark Burrows went to work that day like any other day: intent on serving the public and keeping them safe from those who seek to do harm. It is nothing short of tragic that an innocent woman died in the course of those duties.

“My thoughts are with Heather Smedley’s loved ones who continue to mourn her devastating loss. Only one man was responsible for Heather’s death that day and he’s already behind bars.

“The impact of this incident on PC Burrows is lifelong and has been compounded by a criminal investigation. It is important officers are held to account for their actions but are not fearful of the consequences of putting themselves in harm’s way.

“Our highly trained pursuit drivers are some of the thousands of brave and skilled officers who routinely face dangerous and difficult situations to protect the public. They have my full support in continuing to use their specialist training to confront danger and keep you safe.”

IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said: “Our thoughts remain with Ms Smedley’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by this tragic incident.

“No police officer gets into a vehicle intending to cause harm, but when someone loses their life following contact with the police it is important for there to be a thorough investigation to understand how this has happened.

“In this case, having carefully considered all the available information, including expert evidence, we referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The test we use to make this decision is set out in law, and uses a much lower threshold than either the CPS or the jury must apply.

“Public scrutiny, through the courts where appropriate, is a vital part of policing by consent to ensure public confidence. We thank the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence.”

The IOPC said it will now consider the evidence presented during the trial before finalising a decision over potential disciplinary proceedings.

Read next

• New supervisors’ training aims to tackle weak investigations
• Officers turning to savings schemes as financial pressures intensify
• Cadets deployed to plug intelligence gaps in rural policing