Policeman cleared of dangerous driving through Portsmouth
A POLICEMAN has been cleared of dangerous driving over his pursuit of a stolen vehicle.
After an hour and 10 minutes of deliberations a 12-strong jury found PC James Holden not guilty following a seven-day trial at Guildford Crown Court.
Qualified advanced driver PC Holden, 35, who works at Fratton Roads Policing Unit, had denied dangerous driving in relation to his pursuit of a stolen Renault Kangoo minivan being driven by a prolific offender through Portsmouth on February 6 last year.
PC Holden pursued the vehicle - which had been reported stolen during a house burglary in the Petersfield area earlier that day - after spotting it at McDonalds at The Pompey Centre in Fratton.
The minivan went through red traffic lights, the wrong way round a roundabout and on the wrong side of a dual carriageway before smashing through level crossing barriers outside Cosham train station.
PC Holden did not go through the barriers.
The minivan driver, Louis Bibby, 19, who was on bail at the time, was arrested nearby after abandoning the vehicle.
His woman passenger was also held.
Bibby, who has 145 previous convictions, later admitted a string of offences at Portsmouth Crown Court including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance, aggravated vehicle taking causing damage and two counts of burglary with intent to steal.
He was sentenced to four years in a Young Offenders Institution.
In a statement, Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘Following the incident in Cosham on February 6, 2011, the circumstances of the pursuit were reviewed and the decision made by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge.
‘This was an individual and unique case, and the CPS independently reviewed the evidence in accordance with national prosecutor guidance, known as the Charging Standard, in reaching its decision to charge.
‘It is important that the justice system is transparent and that police officers are subject to the same scrutiny as members of the public.
‘Police officers do a difficult job often in very difficult circumstances and the people being pursued were caught as a result of this pursuit and convicted of burglary, vehicle theft and a number of other offences.
‘Every pursuit in force is reviewed by a specialist tactical advisor from the Roads Policing Unit and those that they feel have potential for organisational learning – both positive and adverse practice – are referred to the Pursuit Review Group.
‘This group includes the head of Driver Standards, a senior officer from the Force Control Room, and representatives from Hampshire Police Federation and the Professional Standards Department. In this case, the panel identified a potential misconduct offence and it was transferred to PSD for further review.
‘If we have concerns, we put those circumstances to the CPS to act as an independent arbiter of our actions. To ensure the complete independence of this process we can, as in this instance, refer it to a CPS office in another county.
‘Police officers involved in pursuits are subject to a high level of specialist training, adhering to national policy and codes of practice. Following the outcome of this case we will identify any organisational learning that comes out of it.’
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Comments
There are 27 comments to this article
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portsmouthgeezer
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 02:16 PMthis case reminds me of a case that happened in 1996 about police officer wear a young man was hit by a van due to the police stoping him in a completly stupid place ( Now that was a case where the police were 100% at fault but only got 50% blame due to the van driver hitting the young man ) its a shame when this perticular case was clearly at fault by the CPS but perhaps this case will endevour to stop any more stupidness from that court department
Janboyo
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 10:18 AMIt is quite clear there are two issues here, the first is to what degree the police should go to pursue offenders, and the second is whether there was sufficient evidence to bring this case to court. In relation to the first matter, it is quite clear from the majority of contributors PC HOLDEN and his colleagues are whole heartedly supported in catching people like BIBBY, well done. Concerning this specific case, my conclusions can only be based on the video and what I read and seen in the media. So based on that evidence I am astounded that this matter ever got to court, the drive by PC HOLDEN being controlled and showing awareness of the conditions and other road users. In view of this, serious question should be asked of the Professional Standards Dept a tHampshire Police and the CPS as to why they carried out such a witch hunt putting PC HOLDEN through an unacceptable ordeal,and also showing an arrogant disregard to the expenses incurred in doing so.
The Watcher....
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 09:36 AMMatgra - Well done you, best response I've ever seen on here. I support your views entirely. The police internal investigators should feel thoroughly ashamed of themselves and be questioned at the highest level as to why they undertook this witch-hunt. It has done nothing but yet again alienate the public from police hierarchy. Well done PC Holden and your colleagues, the public are behind you 100%.
Matgra
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 05:24 AMCuteface...the police helicopter wasn't used because we don't have one. We had a police plane , based at Daedelus, but that was cancelled last year. We now "share" a helicopter with other police forces. From the video, the chase lasted less than 10 minutes..which wouldn't have been sufficient time for the helicopter, or even the plane if it was still available, to get to the scene. And if you look at the video other police vehicles were involved.
Matgra
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 05:16 AMThe only one talking BS is Skimmers73. Who seriously cares?...I DO. and so do all of people I have spoken to about this issue. This career criminal is most guilty of eroding my rights...not the police. I care about serious offenders being able to escape justice due to the liberal minded morons who seem to side with the criminals and only care about their "human rights". PC Holden did the job he was trained for and did it very well...he should be congratulated not prosecuted.
cuteface
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 12:34 AMWhy wasn't there a police helicopter out aswell thought that was the usual in speeding cars think it would be better tracked that way.He sped through the streets for ages they should of called another police car out and get one of those tyre things to stop the speeding veichle.Lucky that train was there otherwise the police chase would of still be going on right now.
The Watcher....
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 12:27 AM@20 - You state 'So what, he is disqualified, he has no license, no insurance, no MOT, or the car is not registered, who seriously cares? I care, as do the majority of the law abiding public. I want the police to go to whatever lengths to apprehend villains and get them off the streets! If an uninsured car damaged you or your property you would be spitting feathers and bleating on that the police should do something about it! What you have to remember is that advanced police drivers are the most experienced and well trained drivers on the road. Its what they do for a living, day in, day out! Thankfully your views are out of step with the majority of decent people so whatever comments you make are immaterial. As for the police, carry on the good job, society appreciates your hard work and professionalism.
Skimmers73
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:31 PMThe more you condone these actions the more your rights will be eroded. I never once said that he should never have attempted to apprehend the offender, what I am saying is that, there is ZERO need to be chasing drivers at high speed on public roads where, you, I and, friends and family can be killed by those being chased or those doing the chasing. So what, he is disqualified, he has no license, no insurance, no MOT, or the car is not registered, who seriously cares? Only the people who are made to go to the A&E in the early AM when their loved one has been killed because of a pursuit gone wrong, get real, please, you are reading to much BS in the papers and listening to too much BS on the news.
Janboyo
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 09:37 PMThis story is incredible in that it is a story at all. The question all straight thinking persons should ask, is how it ever got to court, and how an horrendous waste of valuable funds should be allowed to happen? This is surely the PC world gone mad, and Hampshire Police (Professional Standards) and CPS should really look at themselves and offer everyone an apology but most of all PC HOLDEN, who from all of us in the wider community offer our thanks.
andyr
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 07:04 PM16 - Kevin TheBrit - Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:41 PM - There really is no need for commentary But you cannot tell what conversations are held between driver & observer and oher officerscontrol room, therefore very difficult to judge......
GeorgeScammell
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 06:06 PMAs a retired ex Traffic officer I think by your video this was an excellent pursuit, There was a small risk element, but there always is. I have carried out pursuits, both as driver and passenger. Some speeds were greater than this officer was driving. As a trained driver I think he done very well and did his job as it should be done. I am amazed that this was every .taken to court. Good luck to the officer and the rest of the boys keeping the streets clear of offenders with their hands tied behind their back.
Kevin TheBrit
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:41 PMThere really is no need for commentary - watching this video, the car thief has a total disregard for anyone but himself. He was hell bent on escaping the Police.. through red lights, wrong side of the road, dangerous speeds - did he care if he crashed? No because it wasn't his car and he'd have done a runner if he had the chance. Good riddance to scum like this. Well done to PC Holden for sticking with the 4 wheeled turd to the end!
Sailor Sam
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:30 PM@6 Skimmers73. The person he was pursuing was in a van that had been stolen, and he had more convictions than I have had hot dinners. What alternative do you offer? Do you think that he should not have been pursued and left to steal yet more cars? The Police are employed to protect both us and our property. I wonder if you would have had the same thoughts if it was your car that had been nicket.
morris.james.100
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:30 PMIts disappointing that this case ever came before a judge and jury. Who at the Crown Prosecution Service thought it was a good idea to waste thousands of pounds on this pointless prosecution.
andyr
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:26 PMA pretty pointless video without the commentary that was surely recorded at the time.......
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