A Metropolitan Police officer has been acquitted of causing the deaths of a 10-year-old boy and his aunt during a car chase in south-east London. PC Edward Welch, 34, from Chatham, Kent, was pursuing a stolen vehicle in Penge in August 2016 when it mounted the pavement and struck Makayah McDermott and Rozanne Cooper.
The jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for half a day before finding PC Welch not guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He was also cleared of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and an alternative charge of dangerous driving.
The court heard that the car being chased was driven by 19-year-old Joshua Dobby, who lost control on Lennard Road, crashing into a bollard and crushing Makayah, Ms Cooper, and another 10-year-old child who was seriously injured. Dobby was later jailed for manslaughter and causing serious injury.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) had found that PC Welch may have breached professional standards. Following the criminal proceedings, the Met Police said it would 'carefully consider' misconduct matters. Ch Supt David Stringer offered condolences to the families, stating that pursuits must be carried out carefully to avoid risk.
