Final warning for PC convicted of dangerous driving

A police officer convicted of dangerous driving after a man was hit and injured at a pedestrian crossing has been given a final written warning by his force.

PC Aodan O'Neill had admitted driving a marked police car dangerously on Broadgate, Lincoln, on 4 November 2024.

He was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court in March to a 12-month community order, to include 150 hours of unpaid work, and banned from driving for 12 months.

He told a Lincolnshire Police misconduct hearing on Friday that the incident would "continue to haunt him".

The hearing heard O'Neill had been travelling to an emergency at speeds of up to 58mph with blue lights and sirens when the marked car he was driving hit a man crossing the road.

The pedestrian was listening to music and was struck when he stepped out after seeing the green pedestrian sign.

The hearing was told the officer immediately stopped to assist the man, who suffered minor injuries and has since recovered.

"I made a mistake which has lived with me ever since, and will continue to for a long time," the officer said.

"I see myself as an honest, hard-working officer who admits his mistake."

O'Neill was found guilty of gross misconduct and given a final written warning, which will last four years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Chief Constable Paul Gibson said: "This is an exceptional case where the officer did everything right except for a split-second decision.

"The public would expect him to run towards danger to assist his colleague.

"He wasn't reckless, and this was a single incident.

"Although it is a very serious matter, dismissal wouldn't be in the best interests of the public."

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