A police officer has pleaded not guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving in connection with a collision between his patrol car and an electric bike.
PC Tim Bradshaw, from Sussex Police, entered his plea during a short hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court in relation to the incident in Hawthorn Road, Bognor Regis, on November 3, 2022.
A previous hearing was told that the rider of the electric bike suffered a fractured knee and a broken thighbone in the crash, which happened as Bradshaw was attempting to stop the bike.
Judge James Newton-Price KC adjourned the case for trial to start on February 3, 2025, with a pre-trial review to take place on November 1, 2024.
Releasing the defendant on unconditional bail, the judge told him: “Your trial will be on February 3 next year.
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“As part of your defence you have to provide a defence statement which sets out your version of events and where you take issue with the prosecution.
“If you fail to attend when required then that may be a separate offence. At the trial you will have the right to give evidence; if you fail to attend the trial it may continue in your absence.
“You will remain on unconditional bail, with the pre-trial review hearing on November 1. You are not required to attend that. You may attend if you wish to do so but you must attend your trial on February 3 next year.”
Sussex Police said in a statement released after Bradshaw was charged: “The matter was referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct, who directed that a local investigation by Sussex Police should be conducted.
“The force will consider misconduct proceedings once the criminal proceedings have concluded.”
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