They're widely considered to be the most deadly gang operating in the UK and Ireland. Their fearsome reputation puts them on a par with the Italian mafia and the Mexican cartels.
19.05.2023 - 19:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It was the only job Sarah De Meulemeester ever wanted.
The 26-year-old was described as a 'great asset to Greater Manchester Police', who 'lived and breathed' being a police officer. But in the words of Judge David Aubrey KC: "All that is now at an end."
PC De Meulemeester was behind the wheel of one of three GMP cars responding to a 'grade one emergency' in Stockport on December 26, 2020. She made a reckless choice to drive dangerously - and beyond her capabilities in the force.
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It was a decision that would have tragic consequences and leave a teenager's family to 'go through torture'. Liverpool Crown Court heard officers in Stockport received a message that a suspect was carrying a knife - information that later turned out to be incorrect.
One of the three cars, driven by an officer who was allowed to drive at high speeds, raced ahead. As a 'basic driver' at GMP, De Meulemeester should have held back.
Instead, she travelled at speeds of up to 61mph in a 30mph zone, on a 'wet and windy' Boxing Day. The code police officers must abide by had been ‘regrettably and tragically ignored’, Judge Aubrey said.
Khia Whitehead was a 'fit and active' 15-year-old boy who loved football, and he was good at it. He played for three local teams and was having professional trials.
All that came to a sudden end when he was knocked down by the car being driven by De Meulemeester. The junior cop had overtaken another car and drove on the wrong side of a traffic island where, with her vision obscured, she hit Khia.
It left him in a 'persistent vegetative state'. Khia suffered a traumatic brain injury, damage to his spinal cord and extensive fractures to his pelvis.
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They're widely considered to be the most deadly gang operating in the UK and Ireland. Their fearsome reputation puts them on a par with the Italian mafia and the Mexican cartels.
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