Knocking men off e-bike was passenger's fault – PC

A Sussex Police officer accused of "dangerously" knocking two men off an e-bike said he knew his actions would cause "a hell of a stink", but it was the bike passenger's "own stupid fault".

Tim Bradshaw said he was presented with a "perfect opportunity" to stop a pursuit of Mason McGarry and pillion passenger Dominic Mizzi by making "tactical contact" using his police car.

Mr McGarry, aged 17 at the time, suffered a broken tibia and required surgery after the incident in Bognor Regis in November 2022, while Mr Mizzi, now 22, aggravated injuries from a previous e-bike accident.

Mr Bradshaw, 55, of Bersted, denies causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The officer defended his actions at Portsmouth Crown Court, adding he took the decision to make contact when he saw the road ahead was clear.

He told the court that he had "nudged" the e-bike with the bumper of his vehicle, adding: "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."

Mr Bradshaw said he anticipated that when he stated on the police radio that he had carried out a tactical stop, that it "was going to raise the flag up to the top of the pole. I knew what I had done was going to cause a hell of a stink".

Mr Mizzi previously described Mr Bradshaw, who retired from the force in June last year, as "unhinged".

The trial continues.

Additional reporting by PA Media.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.