Greater Manchester PC banned from profession over crash

PC Sarah De Meulemeester initially told investigators she had been travelling at a normal road speed

A police officer who seriously hurt a boy while driving at twice the speed limit in response to a 999 call has been banned from the profession.

Khia Whitehead, 15, was struck as the vehicle was driven by PC Sarah De Meulemeester in Stockport on Boxing Day in 2020.

De Meulemeester was sentenced in May to two-and-a-half years in prison.

A Greater Manchester Police misconduct hearing concluded her actions amounted to gross misconduct.

She was added to the national barred list meaning she will never be able to work in policing again.

Khia was left with significant injuries and now requires around-the-clock care.

De Meulemeester was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a trial Liverpool Crown Court.

The trial heard she was only a basic level police driver, meaning she was not qualified to use police manoeuvres or drive above the speed limit.

However, while responding to the emergency call she drove the wrong way round a traffic island and had been driving over 60mph (96.5km/h) in a 30mph zone moments before she hit Khia, the court heard.

De Meulemeester initially told investigators she had been travelling at a "normal road speed" and declined to answer further questions about the manner of her driving, the court was told.

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