Oldham: Police driver denies causing death of mum-of-three
A police driver who crashed into a mother-of-three's car while chasing a suspected stolen vehicle has appeared in court accused of causing her death by dangerous driving.Mark Burrows, 45, an officer with Greater Manchester Police, was excused from standing in the dock at Chester Crown Court as two charges were put to him.Mr Burrows, from Reddish, Stockport, pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Heather Smedley, 53, by dangerous driving and not guilty to a second charge of causing her death by careless driving.The defendant, who spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas, was given unconditional bail until a trial date set for 27 April 2026.
Mr Burrows was at the wheel of an unmarked police car pursuing an Audi A3 that was suspected to have been stolen when the police car crashed into a Peugeot 108 driven by Ms Smedley.She died at the scene of the crash, which happened at about 10:00 GMT on 23 December 2022 on Oldham Road and Otmoor Way in Oldham.After her death, Ms Smedley's family paid tribute to "the most kind, gentle, beautiful soul inside and out".A further pre-trial hearing will be held on 15 August.
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