Lewis Johnson: Met officers who chased moped rider will not face charges over his death in Clapton Common
Lewis Johnson died in Clapton Common in February 2016. - Credit: Archant
The two police officers driving the cars chasing Lewis Johnson before he crashed his Vespa and died in Clapton Common will not face charges, the Gazette can reveal.
Lewis Johnson died in Clapton Common in February 2016. - Credit: Archant
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had been considering potential driving offences against both, as well as misconduct charges against one of them.
It is the second case in days in which the CPS has decided not to charge officers over the death of a young man following police contact. Last week an officer who restrained Rashan Charles in a Dalston shop before he died in July was told he would not face any charges.
Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), formerly the IPCC, is now speaking to Scotland Yard regarding possible disciplinary action over Lewis’s death.
The 18-year-old, of Holloway, died on February 9, 2016, when his scooter smashed into a van. The talented footballer and his pillion passenger Louis Kyriacou were being chased after a smash-and-grab robbery in Kingsland Road.
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Kyriacou, of Pentonville Road, Islington, was found with five phones on him and was jailed for 10 months in November 2016 after admitting stealing them.
A CPS spokesman said: “After reviewing the case, we decided we would not be taking further action. The officers involved and the family of Mr Johnson have been informed.”
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An IOPC spokeswoman said: “The IOPC investigation into the death of Lewis Johnson was completed in May 2017 and a referral made to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider criminal charges against two officers for potential driving offences and against one officer for misconduct in a public office.
“The CPS has decided to take no further action against the officers. We are currently in discussions with the Met regarding the findings of our investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
“We have also supplied a copy of the report to HM Coroner prior to the inquest taking place.”
No date has yet been set for the inquest into Lewis’s death.
