Martin Naylor

A former Detective Chief Inspector, Michael Cooper, was jailed for causing the death of psychologist James Bane and seriously injuring a second pedestrian after blacking out while driving an unmarked police car in Derbyshire. Despite a history of unexplained blackouts and medical advice to stop driving and notify the DVLA, he continued to drive without informing authorities, his insurer or employer. Evidence showed he was not wearing a seat belt and had been on a phone call moments before the collision. The judge ruled the crash a preventable tragedy, citing Cooper’s failure to address known medical risks. Disciplinary findings also revealed repeated misuse of the police vehicle. Cooper pleaded guilty and received three years and seven months in prison and a five-year driving ban, while the victim’s family described profound and ongoing grief over the loss.