19 May 2023 , 10:23
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A police officer who crashed her patrol car into a teenage boy - leaving him paralysed and with catastrophic brain injuries - has been jailed today.
PC Sarah De Meulemeester, 26, ploughed the vehicle into 15-year-old Khia Whitbread after driving at speeds of up to 61mph on 30mph-limit roads, and also going the wrong way around a roundabout.
A court heard she was attempting to reach an emergency at the time in Stockport, Greater Manchester, on Boxing Day 2020 but collided with Khia. The boy was left in a persistent vegetative state, reports Manchester Evening News. He still needs 24-hour care from nurses.
Khia was standing in the hatched area behind a roundabout with a friend when another police car, with its blue lights on, sped past on its way to the domestic incident.
Khia Whitehead's life has changed significantly since the crash (MEN Media)The jury heard Khia was distracted watching the car after it passed and stepped into the road not realising the defendant's vehicle, and another Greater Manchester Police car were following.
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De Meulemeester was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court and, today, she was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, and will be disqualified from driving for two years, with a 15-month extension period.
Addressing the woman, Judge David Aubrey KC said: "You are 26 years old. You only ever wanted to be a police officer and you achieved your dream. You live and breathe being a police officer.
"All that effectively came to an end when on Boxing Day 2020 you did not stop, pause or think of the consequences of the manner in which you were driving.
"It’s impossible to imagine the suffering of his loved ones. His mother sitting constantly by his bedside… the lives of so many family members have been shattered both emotionally and practically."
Khia was dashed to hospital and fought for his life (PA)Since the crash, De Meulemeester has suffered from nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety and has required counselling, the judge was told today.
David Temkin KC, defending the police officer, said: "She was of course attending a grade 1 emergency of a nature which was very serious. Her motivations were pure.
“The distance travelled was relatively short on roads that were relatively straight.
“Furthermore, she is deeply, deeply remorseful. That’s genuine and enduring remorse.
"She accepts for [the victim] and his family she has been the cause for the worst day of their lives."
Khia's family has issued photographs of the boy in hospital after the smash (PA)
Khia was struck by De Meulemeester's patrol car and taken for treatment (PA)De Meulemeester, from Chinley, Derbyshire, was "caught up in the adrenaline of the moment," the judge said.
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He added: "The court suspects that you were caught up in the adrenaline of the moment and had left all objectivity behind."
But Khia was treated for nine months in the hospital and "was initially in a permanent vegetative state with little awareness of the world around him".
His daily routine is now described as being fed, medicated and having physiotherapy, the boy's mother said.
Roads were closed in Stockport after the crash on Boxing Day 2020 (ASP/MEN)The teen has a period of "brain rest" at a day centre, where he is placed in a darkened room to try and help his brain recover. His mother added her son is now "like a newborn baby" and "trapped in his own world".
Khia's best friend, who was with him on the day of the incident, battled away the tears and described Khia as "the most kindhearted and genuine person".
"My life will never be the same and the trauma will stay with me,” the victim's mate added.