Penge crash Met police officer cleared over car chase deaths

Rozanne Cooper, 34, and Makayah McDermott, 10, both died in the crash in August 2016

A Met Police officer has been cleared over the deaths of a 10-year-old boy and his aunt during a car chase.

PC Edward Welch from Chatham, Kent, had been pursuing a stolen car in Penge, south-east London, in August 2016 when it mounted the pavement and hit actor Makayah McDermott and Rozanne Cooper.

The 34-year-old was on trial at the Old Bailey, where he denied two charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

The jury deliberated for half a day before finding him not guilty.

The officer was also cleared of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and not guilty of an alternative charge of dangerous driving.

The court had heard the vehicle that was being chased by PC Welch was driven by 19-year-old Joshua Dobby.

The Met Police confirmed it would now "carefully consider" misconduct matters against PC Welch.

• Met Police: Fatal crash PC just wanted to help people

Dobby lost control of the car on Lennard Road, crashing into a bollard and crushing Makayah, Ms Cooper and another 10-year-old child who was also seriously injured.

The 19-year-old was later jailed after being convicted of two counts of manslaughter by gross negligence and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regional director Sal Naseem said: "Our sympathies go out to Makayah and Ms Cooper's extended family and friends, the three injured victims, and everyone else who has been affected by this tragic incident.

"On conclusion of our investigation in 2017, we found that PC Welch may have breached police professional standards in relation to his conduct and standard of driving during the pursuit and his actions after the collision. This was agreed at the time by the Metropolitan Police Service.

"Now criminal proceedings have concluded it will be for the force, in consultation with the IOPC, to review what action to take over the disciplinary hearing."

The Met Police's Ch Supt David Stringer said: "The deaths of Rozanne Cooper and her 10-year-old nephew Makayah McDermott have naturally left their families devastated.

"Our thoughts remain with them and we offer everyone affected by this terrible incident our sincere condolences.

"Police pursuits must be carried out in very careful and controlled circumstances in line with policy to ensure they do not put anyone at risk."

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