Police officer in crash which left driver injured ‘would never take risks’
A police officer who denies causing serious injury by dangerous driving during a 100mph car chase has told a jury he ‘would never’ put himself or a member of the public at risk.
Undercover officer Mark Calladine was pursuing an uninsured Renault Scenic through rural roads in Stafford when his vehicle smashed into a Ford Ranger as it turned right into a business park, it was heard, badly injuring driver Ian Smith.
The 42-year-old Staffordshire Police officer, from Bradley, was overtaking a line of vehicles on a straight road he said he knew ‘very well’ before the crash occurred on February 27.
Taking to the witness box at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, Mr Calladine said: “You can never eliminate risk entirely in a pursuit and every pursuit situation presents different risks.”
He said he believed the line of vehicles he was overtaking on Newport Road during the pursuit were braking in response to his unmarked car approaching bearing blue flashing lights, and not because one of them was about to turn right.
“I had a split second to form that opinion,” he said. “I have never taken unnecessary risks. I never have and never will.”
Mr Calladine admitted he did not have time to stop before hitting Mr Smith’s car, but said his driving ‘did not fall below the standards of careful and competent’.
Mr Calladine has been in the field for 26 years and has no previous convictions or cautions. The trial continues.
