Two Metropolitan Police officers face a misconduct hearing over the death of a 10-year-old boy and his aunt in a crash in Penge. 

Makayah McDermott, 10, and Rozanne Cooper, 35, died when they were struck by a stolen Ford Focus being driven by drug addict Joshua Dobby in August 2016. 

Dobby, then aged 23, mounted the pavement while driving at high-speed as he attempted to escape a police pursuit. 

He lost control of the vehicle on Lennard Road, crashed into a bollard and crushed Makayah and Rozanne as they walked to the park. 

Another 10-year-old child was injured in the crash but survived. 

Crack cocaine and heroin addict Dobby was jailed for 12 years after he admitted two counts of manslaughter by gross negligence and one charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. 

PC Edward Welch was driving the police car in pursuit of Dobby with PC Jack Keher in the passenger seat. 

PC Welch was previously charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and dangerous driving. 

However, at trial a jury acquitted him of all charges. 

News Shopper: Joshua Dobby is serving a 12 year prison sentenceJoshua Dobby is serving a 12 year prison sentence (Image: Met Police)But now PC Welch and PC Keher are facing a misconduct hearing over their actions. 

It is alleged that PC Welch, the driver of the police vehicle, failed to correctly assess or communicate the risks and circumstances of the pursuit to the Control Room Radio Operator, failed to ensure PC Keher provided accurate information to the Control Room Radio Operator and failed to adequately assess the proportionality of continuing the pursuit. 

It is alleged that PC Keher, as the operator/passenger in the police vehicle, failed to correctly assess or communicate the risks and circumstances of the pursuit to the Control Room Radio Operator and failed to challenge the nature of PC Welch’s driving. 

Finally, it is alleged that in the aftermath of the stolen vehicle having collided with the pedestrians, both PC Keher and PC Welch, in choosing to pursue the driver on foot and arrest him, failed in their duty to protect life and limb by not checking whether anyone was injured and not prioritising the administration of first aid at the scene. 

PC Keher has since resigned from the force but PC Welch remains a Met officer. 

The misconduct hearings will take place in May and June this year.