A Metropolitan Police officer was driving at 80mph on the wrong side of the road before a crash that killed a pregnant woman and her unborn child, a court has heard. Mariam Ahmed, 38, died after her Volkswagen Polo was involved in a high-speed collision on Eltham Road, south-east London, on October 17, 2024. Her unborn child could not be saved.
Court Appearance
PC Chris Johnson, 56, and ex-PC Daniel Tomkins, 35, were responding to an emergency call in separate unmarked police cars when they struck Ms Ahmed's vehicle. Both appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth. Johnson stands accused of causing death by dangerous driving. Tomkins, who may have been making a personal phone call at the time of the crash, is accused of dangerous driving. He denies the charge.
Prosecution Details
Prosecuting, Catherine Farrelly KC said both men were on duty and were driving separate vehicles at over 70mph on a 30mph road moments before the crash. Johnson, of Tonbridge, was driving the vehicle involved in the collision, and reached 'somewhere in the region of 80mph', the court heard. At the point of impact, Johnson was at around 50mph, 'braking to the maximum', the prosecution said. Tomkins, driving a second police vehicle which was not involved in the collision, overtook Ms Ahmed at 78mph before the crash, the court heard.
Background
Ms Farrelly said: 'The two of them were on duty as part of a pre-planned deployment targeting vehicles that were suspected to be involved in criminal activity.' Ms Ahmed was travelling in the same direction on the same road as the officers, and had indicated to turn off before the collision, the court heard. The force has said Johnson is attached to the Met's Taskforce. Tomkins was attached to the same unit at the time of the incident, but has since left.
Investigation and Next Steps
The charges follow an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which began a probe following a mandatory referral from the Met. Tomkins, of Bexleyheath, denied one count of dangerous driving, while Johnson, of Tonbridge, entered no pleas today on causing death by dangerous driving. The two men have been granted unconditional bail, and will next appear at the Old Bailey on June 25.
