Met Police officer denies charges over pregnant woman’s death

A Metropolitan Police officer accused of causing the death of a pregnant woman by dangerous driving has denied the charge.

Mariam Ahmed, 38, died after her Volkswagen Polo was involved in a high-speed collision on Eltham Road in Eltham, south-east London, on 17 October 2024.

Her unborn child could not be saved.

PC Chris Johnson, 56, pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey to causing her death by dangerous driving. Former PC Danny Tomkins, 35, denied dangerous driving before the crash took place.

The court heard that both officers, who were on duty in separate vehicles as part of a “pre-planned deployment”, drove at more than 70mph in a 30mph zone and overtook traffic on the wrong side of the road for around 130m.

Johnson, who was driving the police vehicle involved in the collision, was allegedly travelling at about 50mph at the point of impact, prosecutor Louise Oakley KC said.

Tomkins, whose vehicle was not involved in the collision, overtook Ahmed at 78mph shortly before the crash, prosecutors say.