Met Officer Denies Causing Pregnant Woman's Death

Metropolitan Police officer PC Chris Johnson, 56, has denied causing the death of Mariam Ahmed by dangerous driving. Ms Ahmed, 38, died following a high-speed collision on Eltham Road in Eltham on 17 October 2024. Her unborn child also could not be saved. PC Johnson entered his not guilty plea at the Old Bailey.

The court heard that PC Johnson and former PC Danny Tomkins, 35, were on duty in separate vehicles as part of a planned operation. Prosecutors allege both officers drove at speeds exceeding 70mph in a 30mph zone and overtook traffic on the wrong side of the road for approximately 130 metres. Ms Ahmed was travelling in the same direction and had signalled to turn off the road before the collision occurred, according to the prosecution.

While PC Johnson's vehicle was involved in the collision, former PC Tomkins' vehicle was not. Prosecutors stated that Tomkins overtook Ms Ahmed at 78mph shortly before the crash. Johnson was allegedly travelling at about 50mph at the point of impact.

The charges followed an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, a mandatory referral from the Met Police. PC Johnson is attached to the Met's Taskforce, and Tomkins was with the same unit at the time of the incident but has since left the force.

Both officers have been granted unconditional bail. They are scheduled to next appear at the Old Bailey for a case management hearing on 8 January. A trial date has been set for 7 June.