The Sussex Police Federation is raising concerns over the prosecution of a former officer for dangerous driving in Bognor during the apprehension of two convicted criminals escaping on an e-bike.
On Friday, PC Tim Bradshaw was found not guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without due care and attention.
This followed an incident in November 2022 where he "nudged" the back wheel of an e-bike with his police vehicle.
Sussex Police Federation’s Deputy Chair, Andy Newman, supported him through the case, and read a statement outside Portsmouth Crown Court, saying: “Police officers like Tim are out protecting communities 365 days a year, making sure that you are safe.”
The incident took place in November 2022 in Bognor Regis, when Mr Bradshaw touched the back wheel of an e-bike with his marked police car, causing the rider, Mason McGarry, and pillion passenger Dominic Mizzi, to lose control and fall to the ground.
Mr McGarry suffered a broken tibia and required surgery. The court heard that Mr McGarry had more than 40 convictions, including for robbery, theft and dangerous driving. Mr Mizzi also told the court that he had numerous convictions, including for assaulting emergency workers.
Mr Bradshaw said he had “nudged” the e-bike with the bumper of his car and added: “It was light contact”. He said he believed it was “a justified, necessary action”, and the court agreed, finding him not guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also cleared of causing serious injury by driving without due care and attention.
Speaking outside court, the Federation’s Andy Newman said: “Today a jury has taken 20 minutes to come to a not guilty verdict and clear the name of retired PC Tim Bradshaw.
“This case demonstrates that police officers only have seconds to make decisions to uphold the law. Tim hopes that, moving forward, police organisations will show the courage and confidence that this jury has shown in supporting and protecting communities.
“Police officers like Tim are out protecting communities 365 days a year making sure that you are safe. Tim would like to thank his legal team, Counsel Mark Aldred and MJR solicitors, as well as Sussex Police Federation. He has also thanked his family for supporting him through the two years and three months it has taken to come to court.”
Shops evacuated in Chichester
Travel chaos as Portsmouth to Fishbourne Ferry disrupted by breakdown during half term break
Appeal after burglary in Kingston, near Lewes
Criticism by Portsmouth Councillor on local government change
Compensation finally paid to Arundel couple
Dog attacks increase on livestock in the South
RNLI in Sussex on recruitment drive
Wates House asylum seekers plan in Fareham undecided
A police operation has reduced drug-linked offences in Crawley by more than half
Bognor man jailed after smashing car windows
On Air