A former Derbyshire Detective Chief Inspector has pleaded guilty to causing the death of Nottingham educational psychologist James Bane through dangerous driving. Michael Cooper, 55, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on July 6, where he also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving to a second pedestrian whose identity is protected by law.
Guilty Plea Entered on Trial Date
On what had been anticipated as the opening day of his trial, Cooper entered a guilty plea before Mr Justice Sweeting KC. Wearing a black suit, blue shirt and black tie, the former officer, who resides in Etwall, was travelling in a black Peugeot when he caused the death of 50-year-old James Bane, who was on foot, and left a second pedestrian seriously injured during the same incident on September 28, 2021.
A considerable number of Mr Bane's family members attended the brief hearing, alongside relatives of the second victim and the defendant's own family, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
Sentencing Adjourned
Granting Cooper bail and postponing sentencing until July 17, Mr Justice Sweeting KC said: 'My preference is to sentence as soon as possible. There is a lot of medical and background material already available, so it will not necessarily be the case that there will be a lot of personal mitigation to put forward. I will disqualify the defendant from driving for six months, and he will not be entitled to drive on any public road.'
Defence barrister Adrian Keeling KC informed the court that his client admitted 'that he caused the death by dangerous driving with the background of a medical condition' which has been accepted by the prosecution.
Details of the Collision
Mr Bane, an educational psychologist, suffered fatal injuries following a collision between a vehicle allegedly driven by the defendant and two stationary cars, a Mazda and a Volkswagen Up, on Egginton Road, Etwall, on 28 September 2021. The incident resulted in a substantial emergency services response, with multiple ambulances and considerable police resources deployed to the location. The thoroughfare remained shut for several hours.
IOPC Investigation
Cooper faced charges after an inquiry by the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). IOPC representatives confirmed they initiated an investigation following a mandatory referral from Derbyshire Constabulary. An inquest opening into Mr Bane's death found he died from fatal injuries sustained to his pelvis. Coroner Peter Nieto suspended the inquest pending the conclusion of further criminal proceedings into the collision.
In a statement issued at the time, a Derbyshire police spokesperson previously commented: 'The charges against Mr Cooper are extremely serious and the force has fully supported the IOPC investigation into these matters.'
