Two Dorset Police officers in court accused of dangerous driving

Pc Derek Alexander and Pc Harry Chaplin are on restricted duties.

Wednesday 18 January 2023 05:51 EST

Two serving police officers have appeared in court charged with dangerous driving (PA) (PA Archive)

Two serving police officers have appeared in court charged with dangerous driving.

Pc Harry Chaplin and Pc Derek Alexander of Dorset Police were involved in a two-car crash last July 9.

The smash, in Littlemoor Road, Weymouth, was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Chaplin and Alexander were in separate cars heading to the scene of an accident involving one vehicle.

A marked police car is said to have collided with the back of a civilian’s vehicle at, analysis suggests, 83mph.

One the passengers of the civilian car was taken to hospital with a brain bleed, Poole Magistrates’ Court heard.

Alexander, 52, of Thomas Hardy Quarters, Bovington, was charged with dangerous driving.

Chaplin, 26, of Lea Road, Weymouth, was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

They appeared in court on Wednesday. Neither indicated a plea.

They were released on unconditional bail and will next appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on February 16 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Defence solicitor Neil Brooker, for Alexander and Chaplin, said their defence is that their driving was “acceptable in the circumstances”.

Both officers remain on restricted duties, Dorset Police said.