Former Wiltshire PC fined after failing to stop in crash

The former Wiltshire police officer was fined £1,200 and faces a misconduct hearing

A former police officer has been sentenced after failing to stop at the scene of a car crash while on duty.

PC Peter Lawson, 49, who has since resigned from Wiltshire Police, was involved in the crash in Chippenham on the morning of 7 December 2022.

The hearing at Bristol Magistrates' Court heard Lawson was driving a marked police van on blue lights at the time, but did not stop or provide details.

He was fined £1,200 and now faces a misconduct hearing.

Lawson, from Devizes, denied driving without due care and attention and failing to stop at the scene of a collision after the incident on the A4 Avenue La Fleche, but was found guilty following a trial.

After being identified as the officer involved, he was suspended by the force and later resigned.

'Damaging consequences'

During sentencing on Monday, Lawson was fined £600 for failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision and another £600 for driving without due care and attention.

He also had his licence endorsed with five points and was ordered to pay £775 to the Crown Prosecution Service and a victim surcharge of £480.

Det Supt Liz Coles, from Wiltshire Police, said: "Clearly Peter Lawson's illegal actions fell far short of the expectations that the public should expect of a serving police officer.

"His actions have potentially damaging consequences in terms of the trust and confidence of the communities we serve."

A misconduct hearing will now take place.