PC made 'tactical contact' with e-bike, court hears

A police officer has told a court he made "tactical contact" with an e-bike being ridden by two people because of the risk they posed to themselves and the public.

PC Tim Bradshaw drove his police car at the bike being ridden by Mason McGarry and Dominic Mizzi in Hawthorn Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, on 3 November, 2022.

Mr McGarry, who was 17 at the time, sustained a fractured tibia and required surgery following the collision, the court heard.

Mr Bradshaw, 55, of Bersted, admits he did not seek permission from his superiors to carry out the manoeuvre but denies a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The officer told jurors at Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday that he tried to follow the e-bike after it was ridden past his car on the pavement in an attempt to "goad" him.

He said the same e-bike later pulled in front of him which is when he chose to make "tactical contact" while driving at about 30mph, but said he had no time to inform the control room of his decision.

"We are looking at five seconds or so since I pulled away until I made contact," he said.

"It wasn't a forceful contact, it was a light contact."

Mr Bradshaw said he did not put on the vehicle's sirens as the pair "wouldn't take any notice anyway".

On Tuesday, Mr McGarry revealed to the court he had been driving the bike without a licence and had more than 40 previous convictions.

Mr Mizzi, now 22, told jurors he had previous convictions including weapons offences and assaulting emergency workers.

The trial continues.

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