MPS officer receives suspended sentence for fatal crash

Police Constable Daniel Francis had increased his speed to catch up with a vehicle from which a firework had been thrown at a pedestrian. The officer had not activated his sirens or emergency lights to avoid alerting the car he was chasing that they were being pursued.

PC Francis was travelling at 54mph in a 20mph speed limit zone when he struck two pedestrians on a zebra crossing. Charity worker Andrew Brown, 23, suffered fatal injuries and a second man escaped with minor injuries.

He was sentenced today (February 4) at the Old Bailey to a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years after admitting causing death by careless driving. He must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and observe a curfew between 6pm and 8am for the next four months.

PC Francis has also been disqualified from driving for 18 months and will need to take an extended text before he is allow back behind the wheel. He remains subject to a misconduct investigation and is currently on restricted duties.

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, from the MPS West Area Command Unit, said: “This is a very sad case. Our thoughts are with Mr Brown’s family and friends and we offer our sincere condolences for their loss. The IOPC, which is fully independent of the police, launched an investigation into this case and we fully co-operated. Our officers are aware that if their driving falls below the expected standard, they can be prosecuted and brought to account.”

Simon Ringrose, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “PC Francis admitted that his driving fell below the standard of a competent and careful driver and that this driving caused the death of Andrew Brown.

“Although PC Francis has now been sentenced for this offence I am acutely aware that this can never reflect the devastating impact that Andrew’s death has had on his family and friends. I do however hope that the guilty plea and sentence offer some resolution to this aspect of this tragic case.”