Police Officer Convicted After Careless Driving Incident at Carlisle Circus

A police officer has been convicted of careless driving following an incident at Carlisle Circus in North Belfast, which sparked concern in our local community. The conviction comes after an investigation by the Police Ombudsman’s Office, which was launched following a public complaint. The complaint alleged that the officer, while on duty on 2 April 2025, drove through a zebra crossing and narrowly missed a child riding a scooter.

Despite pleading not guilty, the officer was convicted during a contest at Belfast’s Laganside Magistrates’ Court. The court handed down a fine of £250 and issued five penalty points to the officer's driving record.

In a separate, unrelated case heard at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court, another police officer was acquitted of charges involving using a mobile phone while driving and failing to have proper control of a vehicle. This second case had been referred to the Police Ombudsman by the Public Prosecution Service, following video evidence submitted during an investigation into an alleged speeding offence by a member of the public.

Following the conclusion of these court proceedings, the Police Ombudsman’s Office has confirmed it will now review potential misconduct issues arising from both cases. Reports will be prepared and submitted to the PSNI’s Professional Standards Department for further consideration.