CHRIS BISHOP A police officer involved in a car crash on the A47 in which an unborn baby died is back behind the wheel of a patrol car.

CHRIS BISHOP

A police officer involved in a car crash on the A47 in which an unborn baby died is back behind the wheel of a patrol car.

Norfolk police last night confirmed that King's Lynn-based PC Andrew Deadman had returned to normal duties after an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

But while a spokesman said the IPCC had concluded its investigation into PC Deadman's part in the accident, he declined to reveal all of its findings.

An IPCC spokesman said: “I can confirm that the investigating officer's report recommended that PC Deadman underwent a full driver training course before resuming normal duties. This has now been completed and he has resumed normal duties.

“But the report also identifies misconduct issues which we are addressing with the senior management at Norfolk Constabulary.”

He added a misconduct panel was being convened to consider these issues.

“Until this hearing, this is still a live IPCC investigation and we cannot therefore make available our investigation findings as the publication of this could prejudice a panel,” he added.

“Once this has concluded, we will make known the findings of our investigation.”

The accident happened on the night of January 14, 2005 when PC Deadman followed wanted teenager Damian Pearl down the wrong side of the A47 dual carriageway at Terrington St John, near Wisbech, with his blue lights flashing to alert other drivers.

Pearl managed to avoid other drivers as he sped off in a Vauxhall Cavalier.

But a Peugeot which was travelling in the right direction swerved to avoid him, glanced off the central reservation and into the path of PC Deadman's Mondeo.

Stacy Ellington, then 16 and six months pregnant, was a passenger in the Peugeot which was being driven by her 17-year-old boyfriend David Loasby. Miss Ellington suffered severe injuries which led to the loss of her unborn baby.

Pearl, 17, was jailed for 16 months after he admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to stop for police.

The EDP fought a legal battle to lift a court order banning us from naming him and publishing his picture.

PC Deadman was later charged with dangerous driving, but was cleared by a jury after Norwich Crown Court heard he was a courageous officer with an unblemished 15-year record.