PC involved in fatal crash resigned before dismissal

A police officer who killed a retired newspaper photographer when he drove a van through a red light would have been sacked if he had not already resigned, a misconduct panel has concluded.

Trevor Bartlett, 80, died after being struck by the marked police vehicle at a pedestrian crossing in Beeston, Nottinghamshire.

Former Nottinghamshire Police officer Steven Allcock admitted to causing death by careless driving and was given a 12-month community order, with 180 hours of unpaid work and a two-year driving ban.

He was added to the police barred list following a gross misconduct hearing at the force's headquarters on Friday.

Earlier this year, a court hearing was told the police van Allcock was driving had a prisoner "kicking off" in the back and was travelling between 25mph (40km/h) and 28mph (45km/h) when the "distracted" officer struck Bartlett just after 18:30 GMT on 19 December 2023.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Reid said the van was travelling in a bus lane with blue lights and sirens, and the former Nottingham Post photographer had been on the crossing for about seven seconds, while the traffic light was red, when he was hit and died at the scene.

Allcock, who had been an officer with the force since 2020 and left the role last month, was not present at the hearing.

Mitigating, Det Con Tom Hill, from the Police Federation, said the former officer "took full responsibility" and had continued to come into work after the incident.

"He will have to live with the actions of that night for the rest of his life," Hill added.

He also passed on Allcock's condolences to Bartlett's family.

Bartlett was especially known for his work with Nottingham Forest and his friendship with the team's former manager Brian Clough.

Following his death, former colleagues described him as a "dazzlingly brilliant" photographer and "the kindest, most generous bloke".

Chief Constable Steve Cooper, who chaired the hearing, found gross misconduct proven on the basis that the former PC's conduct amounted to a criminal offence, that it had caused Bartlett's death, and would undermine trust and confidence in him as a police officer and the force as a whole.

Allcock was convicted following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which concluded in December 2024.

It established he was a newly qualified response driver and was taking a detainee to custody following a domestic incident.

The IOPC said the prisoner was self-harming and shouting just before the collision.

IOPC director Emily Barry said: "Our sympathies remain with Mr Bartlett's family and everyone affected by his tragic death.

"Police may drive through red lights where necessary but should not endanger the safety of other road users.

"PC Allcock failed to consider the potential hazards, with fatal consequences, and he has now been held accountable for his actions."

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