A police officer has been declared not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after two people died during a police chase in Penge.

The incident has left their families devastated as a child actor and his aunt were killed after being hit by a car which was being pursued in a police chase.

On August 31, 2016, PC Welch was driving a marked police car and began pursuing a stolen Ford Focus being driven by Joshua Dobby.

Dobby had been driving at three times the speed limit down one-way roads and through red lights to evade officers, before losing control.

During the chase, Dobby hit a bollard before hitting three pedestrians in Lennard Road.

The crash killed Rozanne Cooper, 34, and Makayah McDermott, 10, and badly injured Makayah’s sister, 13.

Dobby then got out of the car and fled causing PC Welch and his colleague chasing him on foot.

They arrested Dobby in a nearby garden.

Dobby, 23 at the time, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Old Bailey in March 2017 and was jailed for 12 years.

Following the incident, the Independent Office for Police Conduct began an investigation that concluded PC Welch may have committed a criminal offence due to the standard of his driving.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service determined the threshold for bringing charges was not met but following two reviews, the CPS pressed charges against PC Welch in May 2021.

No charges were brought against his colleague who was a passenger in the car and in contact with the police control room during the pursuit.

The officer has since resigned.

PC Edward Welch, attached to South Command Unit was acquitted on Wednesday, December 7 following a trial at the Old Bailey.

A misconduct review will now take place for PC Welch as well as a former officer who was involved in the pursuit.

PC Welch is on restricted duties during this investigation.

South Area Commander Chief Superintendent 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.

“The jury has found PC Welch did not commit a criminal offence but misconduct matters will now be carefully considered.”

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