The Metropolitan police officer responsible for the death of a West London charity worker at a crossing with zebras was going three times faster than the legal limit according to court hearings.
PC Francis, 33, from Tongham, Surrey, was chasing after another car that had thrown a firework when he ploughed into Andrew Brown, 23, in Hounslow, West London at around 12am.
Andrew was from Glasgow. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Another 16-year-old was injured during the November 2019 incident.
Francis, a Met police officer, aged 33 from Tongham (Surrey), was chased by another car that had thrown firework. When he crashed into Andrew Brown, 23 in Hounslow West London
Francis, despite being in a zone of 20mph, was traveling at 60 mph when he crashed into the car carrying the woman.
Francis has admitted that he caused death through careless driving. He will be sentenced later at the Old Bailey.
Francis only spoke during the hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court to verify his identity and plead guilty.
Francis did not consider pedestrians as he pursued the vehicle.
Lisa Rose, the prosecutor in this case, stated to the court that it falls under the “category careless driving”, which is not too far from dangerous driving.
Francis only spoke during the hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court to verify his identity and plead guilty. (file image).
Elle continued, “He was trying to catch up to a vehicle out of which a firework had thrown.”
“The vehicle was not equipped with lights or sirens and was completely dark.”
District judge Tan Ikram granted him unconditional bail before he sentencing him at the Central Criminal Court.
PC Francis will be serving a maximum term of five years in prison, and a date for his trial is yet to be set.