Former Derbyshire detective chief inspector admits causing death by dangerous driving
Michael Cooper was due to stand trial at Nottingham Crown Court this week, having previously denied causing the death of 50-year-old James Bane and seriously injuring a woman in a collision in Derbyshire in 2021.
A former detective chief inspector has admitted causing the death of a pedestrian and seriously injuring a woman by dangerous driving in a collision almost five years ago.
Former Derbyshire Constabulary officer Michael Cooper was due to stand trial at Nottingham Crown Court this week, having previously denied causing the death of 50-year-old James Bane and seriously injuring a woman in a collision in Derbyshire in 2021.
Appearing in the dock on Monday in front of a public gallery packed with his own friends and family as well as the loved ones of Mr Bane and the injured woman, who cannot be named due to a court order, Cooper pleaded guilty before the trial was due to start.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed in April last year that charges had been brought against the 55-year-old for offences linked to a fatal crash involving his Peugeot 208 in Egginton Road, Etwall, at around midday on September 28 2021.
Judge Mr Justice Sweeting said Cooper, of Etwall, who appeared in court wearing a dark suit and a blue shirt, would be sentenced on July 17.
The defendant’s barrister, Adrian Keeling KC, told the court Cooper’s guilty pleas were on the basis that he accepts it was “dangerous for him to drive in the context of his medical history”.
Mr Justice Sweeting extended Cooper’s bail until the sentencing hearing and put an interim driving disqualification in place until then, which will count towards the disqualification that will be imposed “in due course”.