A serving police officer has admitted causing the death of a retired newspaper photographer after driving through a red light and striking him on a pedestrian crossing in Nottinghamshire. Steven Allcock, a 33-year-old police constable with Nottinghamshire Police, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
The Fatal Incident on Derby Road
The court heard that Allcock was driving a police van on the A52 Derby Road in Beeston on December 19, 2023, when he hit 80-year-old Trever Bartlett as he was crossing the road. At the time of the collision, Allcock was transporting a prisoner into custody and had activated the vehicle's blue lights and sirens.
Prosecutor Elizabeth Reid told the court that Mr Bartlett had been on the crossing for approximately seven seconds while the traffic light was red when the crash occurred. The police van was travelling in a bus lane at the time, with Allcock driving between 25 and 28 miles per hour when he struck the pedestrian.
Momentary Distraction During Prisoner Transport
The court was informed that Allcock experienced a 'momentary distraction' when the prisoner in the back of the van began 'kicking off'. As a trained response driver, Allcock was legally permitted to exceed speed limits and drive through red lights in certain circumstances, but prosecutors argued he failed to ensure the way was clear before proceeding.
'When approaching a red light, they must treat it as a stop or give way and ensure the road is clear and have sufficient space to stop if it's not clear,' said Ms Reid. 'The officer was entitled to drive through a red light but he was driving at an inappropriate speed and did not make sure the way was clear.'
Remembering a Local Photography Legend
Trever Bartlett, who had worked for the Nottingham Post newspaper, was particularly well known among Nottingham Forest football fans for his photography during the Brian Clough era. He was one of the few photographers who maintained a close relationship with the legendary manager, capturing many iconic moments from that period.
Following his death, former colleagues described Mr Bartlett as a 'dazzlingly brilliant' photographer and 'the kindest, most generous bloke'. His photographic legacy, especially his work with Nottingham Forest, has been widely celebrated in the local community since the tragic incident.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing Adjournment
District Judge Jonathan Taaffe acknowledged that Allcock was 'a man of good character, a serving police officer, who was on operational duties' at the time of the incident. The judge noted that this was 'not a case where somebody is driving dangerously or that the speed was inappropriate when approaching the crossing.'
Sentencing has been adjourned until February 12 to allow Mr Bartlett's family to attend court. Judge Taaffe explained his decision, stating: 'I initially wanted to conclude the case with sentence today but one thing I had not noted down was to check whether or not the relatives of the deceased wanted to come to court. And it is likely given the nature of the circumstances they might want to be and that is not an unreasonable thing.'
Allcock has been granted unconditional bail until the sentencing hearing, with an interim driving disqualification imposed in the meantime. The case followed an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which examined the circumstances surrounding the collision and the officer's actions at the time.
