NOBODY will be prosecuted in relation to the death of a young dad who died following a police chase in County Durham, The Northern Echo has learnt.

Kelvin Bainbridge suffered fatal injuries when he was hit by a police car after jumping from a vehicle following a six minute pursuit.

The 19-year-old died at the scene in Middlestone Moor, Spennymoor, on October 18, 2019.

Read more: Teenager killed following police pursuit in Spennymoor

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated the circumstances and sent its report to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.

Today, more than two years later, The Northern Echo has been told that no charges will be brought against anyone in relation to the incident.

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “The death of Kelvin Bainbridge, who was involved in a collision in Spennymoor in October 2019, was a tragedy that had a devastating impact in the local community.

“Our thoughts remain with his family, friends and all those affected by his death.

“Our investigation into the circumstances of that incident, which followed a referral from Durham Constabulary due to the fact a police vehicle was involved in the collision, concluded in July 2020.

“At the end of our investigation, we referred a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, who decided not to authorise any charges in relation to the incident.

“We now await the inquest and have continued to keep Mr Bainbridge’s family, the force and the coroner informed.”

The IOPC said that, at around 2.30pm on October 18, 2019, a Durham police officer driving a marked vehicle began a pursuit of a Nissan Primera, which was being driven by the teenager.

After failing to stop when asked to do so by the police, Mr Bainbridge’s vehicle crashed in Central Drive, Middlestone Moor.

A spokesman said the teenager got out of the Nissan while it was still in motion, and it was at that point that he was hit by the police car.

Following his death, a large crowd gathered at the scene and over the following weeks a large number of tributes including flowers and candles were left in memory of Mr Bainbridge.

Following the decision of the CPS not to prosecute anyone and the IOPC's determination  that disciplinary action was not needed, a spokesperson for Durham police said: "The death of Mr Bainbridge was a tragedy and we would like to express our continued condolences to his family and friends.

"This incident has now been subject to detailed examination by two independent bodies over the last two years, resulting in a finding that the officer in question should face no further action.

"As the case will now be the subject to an inquest on a date yet to be determined, we would not wish to make any further comment in advance of that hearing."

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