Driver jailed over crash which killed PCSO Holly Burke

Darren Ogom was followed for more than 12 miles through Birmingham and Smethwick during the 14 minute chase that ended in the death of 28 year old PCSO Holly Burke in Bearwood last month.

CCTV footage showed Ogom travelling on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic and speeding through red traffic lights as he was followed on January 22, days after being released from prison.

Ogom was first spotted on the Aston Expressway driving at up to 80mph towards the city centre at about 11.20pm.

He changed direction and moved onto residential roads through Erdington doing over 60mph in 30mph zones, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

He returned to the Expressway where he clocked up speeds of up to 105mph as he undertook other vehicles, said Mr Peter Grice, prosecuting.

Ogom, 42, then sped onto the A38, through the road tunnels and towards the City Hospital on Dudley Road, another 30mph zone, going through traffic lights at 70mph, and onto the Hagley Road driving on the wrong side of the carriageway into oncoming traffic before turning a blind corner onto Bearwood Road.

The defendant’s Renault Civic was followed along Windmill Lane, Tollhouse Way and Cape Hill, and on Bearwood High Street, just 120 yards before the collision, was recorded doing between 73-83mph.

Ms Burke’s Ford Fiesta was stationary on Hagley Road as she waited to turn into Bearwood Road when Ogam jumped the traffic lights and smashed into the driver’s side of her vehicle. She suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene.

Ogom told officers he had been smoking crack cocaine all day. Blood tests showed that he had also taken a cocaine by-product, known as BZE, at levels 23 times the legal limit.

He claimed he had been using his wife’s car to pick up a friend from Good Hope Hospital when he saw police cars behind and ahead of him, and panicked, said Mr Grice.

He was on licence for a pub burglary and had notched up 44 convictions since 1993, the court heard.

Ogom was jailed for six years in 2008 for two robberies, one involving a gun being held to the victim’s head, and another in 2015 when an imitation firearm was used for which he was jailed for almost five years.

There was also an 18 month prison term handed out in 2001 for cocaine smuggling in Panama.

The father of four admitted his guilt from the outset and had shown genuine remorse, said Mr Malcolm Morse, defending.

He added that the defendant, described as a ‘responsible and loving’ father of four, had spoken of ‘destroying two families’ by his actions.

Mr Morse said: “Nothing I can say can undo the appalling loss of a young precious life. Nothing I can say can take away the grief from her family and those who knew Holly.”

Ogom, of Longsdale Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving with no licence or insurance.

He was ordered to serve an extended licence period of three years as he was considered a danger to the public, and was also disqualified from driving for 16 years.

Detective Sergeant Alan Wood from West Midlands Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, speaking after the hearing, said: “This was a shocking case of dangerous driving and one that ended with the devastating death of a much-loved member of our policing family.

“Ogom put many other road users and pedestrians in danger that night and he had plenty of time to consider his actions, pull over and bring the matter to a safe conclusion.

“Our thoughts remain with Holly’s family and friends at this time.”

Ch Supt Kenny Bell, Birmingham East commander, added: “No outcome at court could ever compensate for the devastating and tragic loss of a life that Darren Ogom was responsible for.

“I hope he takes the time to consider what he has taken away from Holly’s family and friends, from the communities that Holly was so proud to work in, and from the wider West Midlands Police family.

“We’ve been really grateful for the response from the community, who have been sharing their experiences working with Holly, and we continue to keep her family, friends and colleagues in our thoughts.”

Heartfelt tributes paid to officer

Hundreds of police workers paid tribute to the well-known community police officer following her death.

PCSO Burke was based at Nechells as part of the Washwood Heath neighbourhood team and had been an officer for 14 months.

Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands David Jamieson described her death as 'truly tragic'.

Mr 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."

She lived in Marston Green, Solihull, but her funeral had taken place in Wyre Forest.

Dozens of officers lined the entrance to Wyre Forest Crematorium for her funeral which took place earlier this month.

The hearse carrying Holly Burke’s coffin was followed by a police car and four officers on bikes as it entered the crematorium grounds.

A number of colleagues gave the procession a guard of honour.

One of PCSO Burke’s colleagues, Catherine Boraston, paid tribute to her friend during the service.

She said: “We have many happy memories of up Holly.

“She greeted everyone with a big smile and always had us smiling with her singing voice.”

The family of PCSO Burke also had a statement read on their behalf.

It read: “She thought it was her role in life to put people first. She has so much more to do in her life and this has been taken away from her. We will always remember her infectious smile.”