Police have launched a cold case review into the hit-and-run death of Erith schoolgirl Gemma Rolfe.
The Metropolitan Police Service has confirmed that it is pursuing “a number of enquiries” and issued a fresh appeal for information.
Gemma, 12, was killed on May 19, 2003, when a stolen van smashed into the car she was travelling in with her stepfather.
Her mother Janet Robey has fought ever since for the van driver to face a criminal charge.
“I’m not even fussed if they go to prison now,” she told the News Shopper. “I just want someone to say, ‘I killed your daughter’.
“Gemma’s whole family have done a 20-year sentence. Stop being a coward and hiding. Give Gemma’s family the justice they deserve.”
Crash
Gemma, an Erith Secondary School pupil who enjoyed writing poems, died on her way to Girl Guides.
A white Austin Maestro van careered into her stepfather Dean Robey’s car at the junction of Canada Road and Slade Green Road.
The impact rolled the car onto its roof and into the path of a BMW coming the other way, which then hit them as well.
Gemma had to be cut from the wreckage and was pronounced dead a short while later.
Her sudden death meant her mother never had a chance to say goodbye.
“She walked out the door and said, ‘See you later, Mum’,” said Janet. “That’s all I’ve got. Twenty years have gone, but it’s like yesterday.”
The van driver fled on foot and has never confessed to being behind the wheel.
Witnesses said he was a young man, aged between 18 and 20, but he was never positively identified.
No Charges
Police later traced four youths who admitted being in the van, but none admitted being the driver.
One teenager was arrested and questioned but never charged.
The News Shopper has backed Gemma’s family in their quest for justice.
On the first anniversary of Gemma’s death, we ran a story titled: “Name This Coward”, condemning what Janet called the “wall of silence” around the driver’s identity.
An inquest into Gemma’s death heard that the Crown Prosecution Service would not authorise a manslaughter charge against the teen police arrested.
That was in part because tests revealed the van had faulty brakes, which would have affected its stopping distance.
But eyewitness Elaine Pettis told the inquest that the van seemed to stop at the junction, then start moving again, pulling in front of Mr Robey’s car.
Coroner Dr Roy Palmer recorded an open verdict, saying: “I very much hope the inspector will have success and in due time the driver can be identified and charged.”
Campaign
Since then, loved ones have held an annual vigil at the crash scene on the anniversary of Gemma’s death, to maintain awareness of the case.
The inquest heard a white female driving a red Rover Metro was believed to have seen the van driver, but never came forward.
“In mine and my family’s mind, all four of the people [in the van] should have been convicted, as not one of them was prepared to speak out and be honest,” said Janet.
She hopes advances in DNA technology might mean the police can now prove who was behind the wheel at the moment of the crash.
The family was left “devastated, lost, broken,” Janet said.
“We’ve all suffered in our own, separate ways. Gemma has not grown up to see her nieces and nephews. I never got to see my daughter grow up, have a career, get married and maybe have her own children.”
New Inquiry
“Our thoughts remain with Gemma’s family and friends on the approach to this sad anniversary,” said a Met Police spokesperson.
“The investigation remains open and though many years have passed, we remain committed to achieving justice.
“The case was last subject to a review by the Serious Crime Review Group last year and a number of enquiries remain ongoing.
“These are led by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit.”
The force urged anyone with information to call the unit on 0208 285 1574.
To pass on information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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