Met officers in court after woman's crash death

A pregnant woman was killed in a crash after a Metropolitan Police officer drove at up to 80mph on the wrong side of the road, a court has heard.

Mariam Ahmed, 38, died when her Volkswagen Polo was struck in a high-speed collision on Eltham Road, south-east London, on 17 October 2024.

Doctors were unable to save her unborn baby.

Chris Johnson, 56, a serving constable who is charged with causing death by dangerous driving, and Danny Tomkins, 35, a former constable who is accused of dangerous driving, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where they spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth.

Catherine Farrelly KC, prosecuting, told the court both men were on duty and were each driving separate vehicles at more than 70mph along a road with a 30mph limit shortly before the crash.

Johnson, from Tonbridge, was at the wheel of the car involved in the collision and reached close to 80mph, the court heard.

Farrelly said the pair were on duty as part of a planned operation targeting vehicles suspected of being linked to crime.

The Met has said Johnson is attached to its Taskforce. Tomkins belonged to the same unit at the time but has since left the force.

The charges follow an inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which opened its investigation after a mandatory referral from the Met.

Both men were granted unconditional bail and are due to appear at the Old Bailey on 25 June.

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