Former Sussex Police officer Tim Bradshaw said he intended to make ‘tactical contact’ with Mason McGarry and Dominic Mizzi when he slammed his car into them, sending the pair flying
Moment police car knocks two men off electric motorbike
A police officer who says he was forced to quit his job after ramming his car into two offenders says he is now being taunted by the pair.
Former Sussex Police officer Tim Bradshaw said he intended to make “tactical contact” with Mason McGarry and Dominic Mizzi when he slammed his car into them, sending the pair flying across the street. He was last month cleared of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the dramatic chase in Bognor Regis, West Sussex on November 3, 2022. Portsmouth Crown Court heard McGarry, a serial offender who was aged 17 at the time of the incident, was left with a broken tibia and required surgery. McGarry had more than 40 previous convictions involving robbery, theft and dangerous driving.
Bradshaw has since claimed he is being taunted by the young men, who “threatened” his family and “lunged” at him when he came face to face with McGarry for the first time since the incident. The ex-cop says he saw McGarry chasing a teenage boy and stepped in to stop him from following the boy onto a bus.
“He looked at me all cocky and arrogant, telling everyone on board that I’d knocked him down but that he had taken my job,” he told MailOnline. “He threatened my family. Then he took a big spliff out of his mouth and blew smoke in my face. I said, ‘Go away Mason and take your cannabis with you’. Then he lunged at me.
“He was joined by his mate in a balaclava who was threatening to stab another bus driver. Of course no action was taken against them.” Mizzi, 22, also has a number of convictions, including for assaulting emergency workers.
Bradshaw said he took early retirement last year because of the stress brought on by the case.
Speaking about the incident in 2022, the fromer officer claimed the e-bike rode past his car on the pavement in an attempt to “goad” him. When the same bike passed him moments later, he chose to make “tactical contact” at around 30mph. Bradshaw said he only he “nudged” the electric bike, and that it was Mizzi’s “own stupid fault”.
He added: “It was light contact, it was light enough, there was not a blemish on my police car. I believed it was a justified, necessary action. Officers are always looking over their shoulders, terrified of doing or saying the wrong thing. It makes them reluctant to think on their feet and be hands-on.”
Bradshaw was found not guilty of causing serious injury by driving without due care and attention. He was praised by the judge who also thanked him for his public service.
Andy Newman, Deputy Chair of Sussex Police Federation, said: “Today a jury has taken less than 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 in order to uphold the law.
“Tim hopes that going forward, police organisations will show the bravery and confidence that this jury has shown in supporting and protecting communities.”
Andy Newman, Deputy Chair of Sussex Police Federation, said: “Today a jury has taken less than 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 in order to uphold the law. Tim hopes that going forward, police organisations will show the bravery 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. He would like to thank his legal team of Mark Aldred, and MGR solicitors, and Sussex police federation and his family, that have supported him through the two years and three months that this has taken to come to court.”
