Horsnell also pleaded guilty to the charges of:

• Driving without insurance;
• Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence;
• Failing to stop after a road accident;
• Driving with excess alcohol;
• Refusing to provide a sample for a class A drug test

He denied the charge of assaulting a police officer, and this was left to lay on file.

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Police were called at 7.22am on Thursday 11 December 2025, to reports of a collision on Burrell Road involving a female pedestrian and a silver BMW 318i.

Multiple calls from members of the public indicated the driver failed to stop and had left the scene.

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The pedestrian, a woman aged in her 30s, sustained serious head injuries and was taken to Addenbrookes’ Hospital where her injuries were described as life threatening, having sustained a significant brain injury, as well as a fractured spine and lower leg injuries.

She was identified as a serving police officer with the Metropolitan Police.

The court heard that Horsnell had driven the car from an address in the Chantry area of Ipswich a few minutes prior to the collision, where he returned just over an hour later.

Around 9am, police received reports from members of the public of a damaged vehicle, believed to have been involved in a collision, seen parked off Cambridge Drive. Officers attended the scene and arrested Horsnell, who attempted to evade police.

He was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning, where he refused to undergo a Class A drugs test, but did consent to a breath test. Horsnell provided two samples of breath and was charged with having 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, which is more than twice the legal limit of 35mg in 100ml of breath.

Local CCTV and dash cam footage that had been submitted by members of the public showed that Horsnell had been travelling in excess of the speed limit, ignoring red light signals and conducting dangerous overtaking and undertaking.

Horsnell’s phone was seized following his arrest and police established he had been involved in a video call at the time of the collision.

Horsnell was also disqualified from driving for seven years.

Speaking after the sentencing, police staff investigator from the serious collision investigation unit Alex Matthews said: “Horsnell made the conscious decision to drive when over the drink drive limit, in excess of the speed limit and conducting dangerous manoeuvring, all whilst using his mobile phone behind the wheel.

“He has shown a complete disregard for the safety of other road users or members of the public. Most shockingly, after colliding with a pedestrian he failed to stop and made no attempt to offer help or take accountability for his actions.

“He has shown no remorse for the catastrophic injuries he inflicted on the victim, from which she will never recover. Her life, and the lives of her family, friends and colleagues, have been permanently affected.

“I would like to thank all those members of the public who assisted with this investigation, whose help was vital in securing this conviction.”

Detective Chief Inspector Anna Deighton of the Metropolitan Police, who leads the Public Protection unit in Central East London, said as part of her impact statement: “As police officers we are unfortunately used to dealing with death and serious injury and know what we have to do in response. However, all of us have now experienced how different it is when it involves someone that you love and care for. The absence of Tara’s laughter, her positivity, and the kind heart she brought into every aspect of her work and relationships has left a void that cannot be described.

“We wish to thank Tara’s family for their graciousness in allowing us to be present throughout this period. Tara is so loved by her family and her friends because of the person that she is.”

Press release – 12 December 2025

A 32-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences following a serious road traffic collision in Ipswich.

Officers were called at 7.22am on Thursday 11 December, to reports of a collision on Burrell Road involving a pedestrian and a silver BMW 318i. The driver failed to stop and left the scene.

The pedestrian – a woman aged in her 30s – sustained serious injuries and was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where she remains in a critical condition.

Following the collision police located the car believed to have been involved and arrested a man in in connection with the incident. He was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and has subsequently been charged as follows:

Carl Horsnell, of Henniker Road in Ipswich, was charged with eight offences:

• Causing serious injury by dangerous driving;
• Driving with excess alcohol;
• Refusing to provide a sample for a class “A” drug test
• Aggravated vehicle taking;
• Failing to stop after a road accident;
• Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence;
• Driving without insurance;
• Assault by beating of an emergency worker

Horsnell has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Saturday 13 December.

Officers are continuing to appeal any for witnesses and asking any motorists driving in the area between 7am and 7:30am on 11 December with a dashcam fitted in their vehicle, to review the footage for any material that may be of assistance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit, quoting reference: 37/70165/25.