A GMP officer has been demoted in rank after Gareth Roper’s subsequent death in a hit-and-run smash

11:22, 06 Nov 2025Updated 17:13, 06 Nov 2025

Police at the scene of the fatal collision(Image: Kenny Brown)

A father-of-six was knocked down and killed in a car crash after he was arrested by police then driven almost four miles away and left in his boxer shorts to walk home barefoot without any money or his mobile phone.

A hit-and-run driver was later jailed for causing Gareth Roper’s death by dangerous driving.

Now a Greater Manchester Police officer who was involved in Mr Roper’s arrest – David Wood – has been demoted in rank from a sergeant to a constable following an investigation by the police watchdog. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it also found misconduct against a now former sergeant and two PCs who were also present.

The former sergeant is no longer a serving police officer, the watchdog said, so no sanction has been placed on them. The IOPC said the two PCs will ‘undergo reflective practice aimed at improving their performance in future’.

Mr Roper, who was 35, died after being hit by a Volvo car being driven by Jamie Evans on Lily Lane in Bamfurlong, Wigan, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, 2022. Evans pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for nine years in September, 2023.

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In a statement issued on Thursday, the IOPC said a panel, following a seven day-long hearing, found now PC Wood had breached police professional standards. The panel ruled it amounted to gross misconduct and he was demoted from the rank of sergeant.

Mr Roper was arrested at his home in the early hours of New Year’s Day on suspicion of a breach of the peace. The IOPC said PC Wood, then a sergeant, ‘referred to him using derogatory and offensive language’ during the incident.

Greater Manchester Police(Image: Manchester Evening News)

He was driven almost four miles away in a police van and dropped off wearing just his boxer shorts outside the Iceland store in Platt Bridge, Wigan, where he was de-arrested at around 3.50am, the watchdog said.

In a statement, the IOPC said: “After exiting the police van, Mr Roper was stood wearing only his boxer shorts with all four officers.

“His clothing, which had earlier been handed to officers by a relative, was left on the road close to his feet. He had no coat with him. CCTV then showed the police van and car drive off from Mr Roper. At approximately 4.16am a taxi driver noticed Mr Roper lying in the road. Inquiries found he had been hit by a vehicle and sadly died from his injuries.”

The IOPC said it handed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider possible criminal charges following its investigation into the actions and decision-making of the four officers involved, but no charges were brought.

The watchdog’s statement added: “Following a seven-day hearing, the panel found Sgt David Wood breached the police professional standards of behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy; duties and responsibilities; orders and instructions; and discreditable conduct. It ruled this amounted to gross misconduct and he was demoted to the rank of PC.

Jailed: Jamie Evans(Image: PA)

“The panel also found misconduct against a former sergeant and two PCs involved in the arrest. As the former sergeant is no longer serving, and the highest sanction for misconduct is a final written warning, they will face no further action. The two PCs will undergo reflective practice aimed at improving their performance in future.”

Bolton Crown Court was told during the prosecution of Evans that Mr Roper was captured on CCTV moments before the crash. The footage shows him whistling and clapping while walking barefoot on white lines in the middle of the road with his jumper tied around his waist.

IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mr Roper’s family and loved ones following this tragic incident. Police have a duty of care towards those in their custody and the panel’s findings make it clear that the actions of those involved in Mr Roper’s arrest fell short.

“Our thorough investigation, carried out independently of the police, has ensured those involved have been held accountable. Our findings were also shared with the coroner to assist with the coronial process. None of this will erase the suffering of Mr Roper’s loved ones, but I hope this goes some way to helping them get closure.”

An inquest into Mr Roper’s death is yet to be held.

A GMP spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Gareth Roper’s loved ones after his tragic death. We have fully engaged with the IOPC’s investigation and have ensured that the officers involved have been appropriately held accountable for their actions through a thorough disciplinary process.

“Our seven-day misconduct hearing found there was a lack of leadership in how our officers responded to the initial incident on the night, which has resulted in us taking the rare and significant step of demoting a sergeant of their rank.”