An ex-police officer, Tim Bradshaw aged 55, has been acquitted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after knocking two men off an electric motorbike. The incident took place in Hawthorn Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex on November 3, 2022. The verdict was reached by a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court, who also found Bradshaw not guilty of an alternative charge of causing serious injury by driving without due care and attention. The entire trial and subsequent verdict were notably swift, taking just an hour.
The retired officer was reported to have touched the back wheel of the e-bike with his Ford Focus marked police car, leading to the rider, Mason McGarry, 17 at the time, and passenger Dominic Mizzi, 22, losing control and falling to the ground. McGarry sustained a broken tibia and had to undergo surgery. During the court proceedings, McGarry stated that Bradshaw hadn’t given any prior warning. It came to light that McGarry had accumulated over 40 convictions, including robbery, theft, and dangerous driving. Similarly, Mizzi shared his criminal record which included convictions for assaulting emergency workers.
Bradshaw, a married father, justified his actions in court by stating that the incident was a consequence of Mizzi’s own actions. The use of a “tactical contact” maneuver was reportedly authorised by Bradshaw’s superiors, allowing for the use of “reasonable force.” He clarified that the mild contact made with the e-bike was a deliberate but necessary action to prevent a high-speed pursuit and mitigate potential risks. The former officer also revealed that he had executed similar tactics to stop electric motorbike pursuits in the past due to the challenges posed by the vehicles’ speed and manoeuvrability.
Throughout his testimony, Bradshaw elaborated on the regularity of police pursuits involving electric motorbikes in the area, highlighting the typically futile efforts of law enforcement to apprehend the riders due to their agility. Notably, the court was informed of Mizzi’s prior involvement in an e-bike accident and the recent fatality of a young individual in a similar crash nearby. Bradshaw’s last-ditch effort to prevent the pursuit was acknowledged as a strategic decision aimed at safeguarding the community and minimising potential risks posed by chaotic chases.
The presence of video footage capturing the moment of collision added a layer of transparency to the court proceedings, providing a clear visual representation of the events that unfolded. Moreover, Bradshaw’s swift retirement in June prior to the trial raised questions about the timing of his exit from the police force and his motivations behind the decision. The case not only delves into the legal intricacies of police intervention but also sheds light on the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling modern forms of criminality, such as the illicit and often dangerous use of electric vehicles in unlawful activities.
The acquittal of Bradshaw serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding law enforcement actions and the nuanced considerations that come into play when addressing high-stakes situations. The verdict underscores the fine line that officers must tread between upholding the law and ensuring public safety, particularly in the face of evolving criminal tactics. Bradshaw’s case is likely to spark conversations around the boundaries of police intervention and the extent to which officers are empowered to employ forceful measures in the interest of safeguarding communities.