TWO police officers have pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving in relation to a crash in Weymouth which injured six people, including a woman who suffered a bleed on the brain.

PC Derek Alexander, 52, and PC Harry Chaplin, 26, of Dorset Police appeared in the dock at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, February 16, for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

The two officers faced charges in relation to a collision on Saturday, July 9, 2022, in Littlemoor Road.

Alexander denied an allegation of dangerous driving while Chaplin pleaded not guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

During the short hearing, Judge Robert Pawson set a trial date for Monday, November 6, after the defendants had entered their pleas.

The prosecution were represented by Nick Cotter, while Edmund Gritt was defending.

The officers were travelling in separate Vauxhall Astra police cars heading to the scene of a crash involving one vehicle.

Bournemouth Echo: Bournemouth Crown CourtBournemouth Crown Court

The complainant, a woman in her 30s who was in a bronze Honda Civic with three other people, was stopped at a junction wanting to turn right when the police cars approached.

Alexander’s car drove past it and Chaplin’s car was involved in a crash with the stationary vehicle shortly afterwards.

Alexander, of Thomas Hardy Quarters in Bovington, and Chaplin, of Lea Road in Weymouth, were remanded on unconditional bail.

Both officers remain on restricted duties.

The crash was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

As reported, the road was closed for nearly 12 hours to allow for accident investigators to examine the scene before it was reopened just after 9.30am on Sunday, July 10.

The occupants of the Honda, a man and woman aged in their 30s and two young children aged 18 months old and three years old, were assessed at the scene before being taken to Dorset County Hospital.