Jobless man, 42, appears in court for ‘killing off-duty PCSO after smashing into her car’

Jobless man, 42, appears in court for ‘killing off-duty PCSO after smashing into her car during high-speed police chase through city’

  • Holly Burke, 28, died after a speeding Renault smashed into her Ford Fiesta 
  • Darren Ogom arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving
  • The 42-year-old appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court for short hearing  

A jobless man has appeared in court today charged with killing an off-duty PCSO in a horror crash following a police chase. 

Holly Burke, 28, died after a speeding Renault Scenic smashed into her Ford Fiesta as it was being pursued by police on Tuesday night.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics and police officer colleagues she was pronounced dead at the scene in the Bearwood area of Birmingham.

Ms Burke (pictured) was killed in the car crash

Holly Burke (pictured in undated photos) died yesterday after a car chased by police for 15 minutes ploughed into her in Birmingham

Darren Ogom was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance and failing to stop for a police officer.

Today the 42-year-old appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court. 

Unshaven Ogom, of Kings Norton, Birmingham, dressed in a grey t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, showed no emotion during the minute-long hearing.

He entered the dock handcuffed to a security guard and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and British nationality.

District Judge Timothy Gascoyne remanded Ogom in custody and adjourned the case until February 21 when he will appear before Birmingham Crown Court.

Steven Jonas, defending, said: ‘It is his intention to plead guilty and he knows he going to receive a lengthy prison sentence – there will be no application for bail.’

West Midlands Police said the crash happened after officers had been following the car for 15 minutes after it was spotted speeding in the Erdington area of the city.

Police deployed a stinger device on Bearwood Road before the smash occurred seconds later at the junction of Hagley Road.

Pictured: The scene in Birmingham, West Midlands, last night where Ms Burke was killed in a car crash  

Pictured: The scene in Birmingham, West Midlands, last night where Ms Burke was killed in a car crash  

Following her death, tributes poured in for the popular police community support officer, who had worked for West Midlands Police for 14 months.

Chief Superintendent Kenny Bell, commander at Birmingham East neighbourhood policing unit, said: ‘This is a desperately sad time for everyone who knew Holly and our thoughts and condolences are with Holly’s mum and dad, family, friends and colleagues.

‘There is no doubt that this tragic event will have an impact on those officers who responded and those who worked alongside her.

‘Holly has been taken from us too soon and as a police family we are feeling this.’

Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: ‘The loss of PCSO Holly Burke is truly tragic.

‘She was greatly valued by West Midlands Police and the communities which she served.

‘My thoughts are with Holly’s family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.’

Police are pictured at the scene in Birmingham yesterday where Holly Burke was killed in a car chase 

Police are pictured at the scene in Birmingham yesterday where Holly Burke was killed in a car chase 

The incident is being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: ‘Our sympathies are with the family of the woman who sadly died in this tragic incident and everyone else affected.

‘We have a duty to independently investigate in these circumstances and we will be examining the events prior to the collision to determine if appropriate policies and procedures were followed.

‘We will be contacting the family of the woman who died to more fully explain our role and will keep them and the force regularly updated on our investigation.’    

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