A retired police officer has been cleared of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a crash involving an e-bike that left two people injured in Bognor Regis.
Former PC Tim Bradshaw, 55, of Bersted, was found not guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court after a trial in which he defended his actions as a necessary move to protect public safety.
Incident Details
The crash occurred in November 2022, when Mr Bradshaw, who was on duty at the time, was accused of deliberately driving a marked police car at an e-bike ridden by Mason McGarry and Dominic Mizzi.
The court heard that Bradshaw’s police car made contact with the back wheel of the e-bike, causing McGarry, now 19, and passenger Mizzi, 22, to lose control and fall to the ground.
- McGarry suffered a fractured left tibia that required surgery.
- Mizzi sustained minor injuries.
Verdict and Justification
The jury deliberated for just one hour before clearing Bradshaw of:
- Causing serious injury by dangerous driving
- Causing serious injury by driving without due care and attention (alternative charge)
During the trial, Bradshaw defended his actions, stating he had used a “tactical contact” manoeuvre that had been previously authorised by his superiors.
“I was presented with a situation which in my view was a perfect opportunity to make contact with that bike and stop a pursuit and the increased risk,” Bradshaw told the court.
He insisted that his use of force was reasonable, describing the impact as a “nudge” and stating:
“It was light contact, it was light enough – there was not a blemish on my police car.”
Bradshaw further argued that police often struggle to stop e-bike riders due to their high speeds and ability to navigate alleyways and restricted roads.
Criminal Histories of E-Bike Riders
During the trial, it was revealed that both McGarry and Mizzi had extensive criminal records:
- McGarry had more than 40 convictions, including for dangerous driving.
- Mizzi had previous convictions, including for assaulting emergency workers.
Bradshaw dismissed Mizzi’s involvement in the crash, stating:
“It was his own stupid fault.”
Previous E-Bike Incidents in the Area
The court heard that:
- Mizzi had been injured in a previous e-bike accident.
- Another young man had died in a separate e-bike crash nearby just a month before this incident.
Reaction and Next Steps
Bradshaw, a married father-of-one, had retired from the force in June 2024. Following the verdict, he expressed relief at being cleared of all charges.
His case has reignited discussions around police tactics for stopping e-bikes, particularly in high-speed pursuits where officers have limited options.
