Officer Struck and Killed Moped Rider While Responding to Emergency Callout
A Metropolitan Police officer has received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to causing the death of a moped rider by careless driving while responding to an emergency in north London.
PC Ian Brotherton Sentenced
PC Ian Brotherton, 32, was sentenced at the Old Bailey today after being charged following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the death of 26-year-old Brazilian national Cristopher de Carvalho Guedes.
The officer was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for 30 months.
Fatal Collision in Enfield
The incident occurred on October 12, 2023, when PC Brotherton was driving a marked police van with lights and sirens activated on Southbury Road, Enfield, responding to an emergency callout.
As he approached the junction with Baird Road, where the traffic lights were red, he accelerated to 47 mph instead of slowing down.
Mr. Guedes was riding his moped through the Southbury Road junction when he was struck by the police van. The collision threw him into metal railings, causing severe head injuries despite wearing a helmet.
He was treated at the scene by officers and paramedics before being transported to hospital, where he tragically died.
IOPC: Death Was “An Avoidable Tragedy”
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe expressed sympathy for Mr. Guedes’ family, who are based in Brazil, stating:
“The death of Mr. Guedes was an avoidable tragedy, and our sympathies are with his family and everyone affected by this incident.”
She emphasized that while police officers are permitted to pass through red lights and exceed speed limits in emergencies, it is never justified if their actions endanger others.
“PC Brotherton admitted he drove in a careless manner when he didn’t brake or slow down when he passed through the red light at the junction,” she added.
“By the time he saw Mr. Guedes, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision. His actions had fatal consequences, and he has now been held accountable.”
IOPC Investigation and Disciplinary Proceedings
The IOPC launched an investigation after a mandatory referral from the Met Police. Investigators:
- Reviewed police dashcam and body-worn camera footage
- Obtained a forensic collision investigation report
- Took witness statements
- Interviewed the second officer in the police van under criminal caution
- Reviewed police training policies and driving guidance
Their investigation was completed in April 2024, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) then authorized charges of dangerous driving causing death and careless driving causing death.
In January 2025, PC Brotherton pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death, leading the CPS to let the dangerous driving charge lie on file.
The Met Police will now consider disciplinary proceedings, with the officer facing a gross misconduct hearing for breaching police driving standards.
