Greater Manchester PC
A police officer was found guilty of seriously injuring a 15-year-old student in Stockport on Christmas Day of last year. Junior football player Khia Whitehead, who was struck by a police vehicle operated by Sarah De Meulemeester, has sustained life-altering brain injuries.
The Greater Manchester Police officer responded to a 999 call about a knife-wielding man involved in a domestic dispute. The Independent Office for Police Conduct concluded that De Meulemeester had attained velocities of up to 98 kilometres per hour (61 miles per hour) in a 30 mile per hour zone.
The police car’s data revealed that De Meulemeester initially slowed down to enable another officer who had been trained and authorised to exceed the speed limit to pass her before accelerating again. As she drove down Garners Lane, she passed a member of the public and struck Khia as he crossed the street.
De Meulemeester, who was 26 years old at the time, had been a basic-level police driver, which meant she was required to observe all speed limits and was not permitted to utilise the statutory exemptions available to those with advanced training. She initially denied her driving style and refused to address any further inquiries about it.
De Meulemeester is scheduled to be sentenced on 19 May, following his trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Khia is still receiving treatment at a rehabilitation centre in Sheffield, and luminaries such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Tyson Fury have sent her messages of support.
