Hero dog found vital evidence in baby crash death

PD Louie and PC Cuthbertson found the phone which led to Darryl Anderson being convicted of two deaths

A police dog has won an award after finding vital evidence which led to a drink-driver being convicted of killing an eight-month-old baby and his aunt.

Zackary Blades and Karlene Warner died on the A1(M) in Durham, after they were hit by a car driven by Darryl Anderson in May last year.

Police dog Louie and his handler PC Dan Cuthbertson - a relative of Ms Warner - were sent to investigate the scene of the crash where they tracked down Anderson's phone, which proved he had been taking pictures of himself driving at 140mph.

PC Cuthbertson said it was "awful" seeing Ms Warner's belongings scattered along the road but finding Anderson's phone would always be his and Louie's "greatest achievement".

Zackary's mum, Shalorna, had just collected her sister, Karlene, from Newcastle International Airport when they were hit by Anderson's car.

Soon after the crash, PC Cuthbertson received a phone call from his wife informing him of their deaths. Karlene was a relative and family friend who had attended their wedding just a few months earlier.

Zackary Blades and his aunt, Karlene Warner, were killed in a crash caused by drunk driver, Darryl Anderson

Durham Police had dispatched PC Cuthbertson and Louie to the scene to search for the phone.

But when the sergeant in charge was made aware of PC Cuthbertson's personal link to the case, he had suggested using another dog.

However, despite his upset, PC Cuthbertson was determined to put Louie's training to use and find the phone used by the suspect which was thought to contain vital evidence.

Louie, a three-year-old cocker spaniel, is trained to find electronic devices. He was rescued by the force and enrolled on the police dog training programme in 2023, after being found abandoned in Gateshead.

The dog and his handler searched a 150m (164ft) stretch of road on the north and southbound carriageway, where officers had previously failed to find Anderson's phone.

"Seeing Karlene's personal belongings scattered along the road was awful," said PC Cuthbertson.

"We have kids the same age and I'd seen her just weeks earlier; it was difficult to believe that she was gone.

"The scene was in tatters. Louie was so focused and worked around all the difficulties the scene posed. He didn't put a paw wrong."

During the search PC Cuthbertson noticed a change in Louise's behaviour while he searched through an area of thick undergrowth. The dog then froze on the spot to signal a find.

Louie was trained as a police dog after previously being abandoned

Thanks to Louie, the phone was recovered.

Crucially, the phone showed Anderson - who was breathalysed at the scene and found to be more than double the legal limit - had been making calls and sending texts throughout his journey.

It also revealed he had taken a photo less than half a second before the crash, which showed he was driving at 141mph (227kph), and in the background of the picture, the victim's car could be seen.

"The incident was awful and we were devastated to lose someone so special, as well as such a young life," said PC Cuthbertson, recalling his mixed emotions..

"But from a personal point of view, I don't think anything will ever beat that find; there was total relief.

"It will always be our greatest achievement because it meant so much to us all."

The duo have been presented with A Rising Star Award from police dog charity the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, after demonstrating huge commitment and skill during an incredibly difficult job.

"Louie had only been operational for six months when he played a vital role in this case, and PC Cuthbertson worked through the grief and heartbreak of losing a family member to bring this dangerous individual to justice," said charity chairman Kieran Stanbridge.

"The work they did was hugely important to the whole investigation and helped to ensure this driver was brought to justice."