Two Metropolitan Police officers have been convicted of driving offences following an independent investigation into a fatal collision that occurred in Lambeth in 2021. The incident, which led to the death of a young woman, has resulted in legal action against the officers involved.
Former PC Nadeem Patel and PC Gary Thomson, both attached to the Central South Command Unit, were charged in connection with the incident after an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation, supported by the Metropolitan Police.
PC Thomson, who was driving the first police car at the time of the collision, faced charges of dangerous driving. Although he pleaded not guilty, he was later acquitted of this charge after a trial at the Old Bailey in July. However, he was found guilty of careless driving. In a court ruling on August 7, 2023, PC Thomson was fined £500 and received five penalty points on his driving licence.
Following the conclusion of the criminal case, misconduct proceedings are expected to take place to address the officers’ actions and adherence to professional conduct standards.
The collision occurred on June 9, 2021, at approximately 23:20 on Stockwell Road, SW9. The incident took place as two separate police cars were responding to an emergency call. Tragically, a female pedestrian, identified as 25-year-old Shante Daniel-Folkes from Norwood, SE27, was struck by the second police car driven by PC Patel. Despite the immediate efforts of officers and paramedics on the scene, Ms. Daniel-Folkes succumbed to her injuries.
PC Patel pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on November 21, 2022. On February 24, 2023, he was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and was also disqualified from driving for three years. Additionally, he was dismissed from his position without notice following a misconduct hearing on May 4, 2023.
Commander Seb Adjei-Addoh, who oversees policing in Lambeth, expressed condolences to the family of Shante Daniel-Folkes and acknowledged the impact the incident and trial verdict had on the local community. He assured that the Police Community Engagement team would be actively addressing any concerns raised by the incident and trial verdict in the days to come.
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