A driver was clipped by a ‘negligent’ police officer trying to overtake.
Gloucestershire Constabulary officer Patrick Davis was driving his 2017-plate vehicle on the A429 near Stow-on-the-Wold in March 2021 when he pulled out from behind Chipping Norton man Michael McCulloch to overtake, court filings alleged.
The police car was not on blue lights or sirens. Before it could get past the first vehicle, Mr Davis was said to have moved back into the lane as another vehicle was coming in the other direction.
The service vehicle, a Vauxhall Astra, struck Mr McCulloch’s Mercedes GLC.
Court papers filed by Mr McCulloch’s lawyers claimed the police officer was ‘negligent by failing to keep any or a proper lookout’. The officer ‘failed to drive and/or control their vehicle with appropriate care and skill, causing the impact’. He overtook when it was ‘unsafe’, the lawyers said.
The Mercedes driver issued a claim against the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary for £4,200.20 in damages. That was comprised of a bill for more than £1,000 to repair the car and almost £3,200 to hire another vehicle.
The case was due to be heard at Oxford County Court last week. However, the matter was pulled out of the list at the last minute after it was settled out of court.
Gloucestershire Constabulary was approached for comment.
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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.
To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk
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