Cop failed to help child actor, 10, and his aunt when they were hit and killed by joyrider in high-speed police chase
A POLICE officer failed to help a child actor and his aunt when they were mowed down and killed by a joyrider during a chase.
PC Edward Welch had been pursuing Joshua Dobby through Penge, South East London, when the horror unfolded.
Millionaire’s son Dobby mounted the pavement and smashed into ten-year-old Makayah McDermott and his aunt Rozanne Cooper, 34.
A misconduct panel heard PC Welch did not stop to help the tragic pair following the 2016 crash.
The tribunal found this amounted to gross misconduct but Welch will not be dismissed and was instead given a final written warning.
PC Welch was in a marked car chasing Dobby, who was driving a stolen Ford Focus.
Former PC Jack Keher was also inside the police car during the pursuit.
Both vehicles travelled the wrong way along roads at speeds three times the 20mph limit.
Dobby, who was convicted of manslaughter in 2017, lost control of the Ford at 60mph and struck Makayah and his aunt.
He then fled on foot – followed by the two officers who did not stop to help the pair or a second child who was also seriously injured.
Aspiring actor and footballer Makayah, who appeared in an Asda advert, had just landed a leading role in a major new television series.
Dobby was previously jailed for 12 years for two counts of manslaughter, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and dangerous driving.
The car thief, who had never held a driving licence and had 53 previous convictions,is the son of millionaire pet food wholesaler Mark Dobby.
PC Welch, who was cleared in December 2022 over the two deaths, had “sufficient experience” to recognise Dobby’s dangerous driving, the panel said.
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said the officers’ actions during the chase were “not proportionate or justified given the apparent safety risk to the public”.
She added: “The officers also failed in their duty of care to protect lives following the collision by chasing the offender rather than immediately going to the aid of the victims.
“Our thoughts remain with the families of Makayah and Rozanne who sadly lost their lives and to everyone affected by this incident.”