Toad Talks: Copper Clatters Criminal but Gets Charged

Chavvy types riding electric motorcycles on the road are fast becoming an epidemic in the UK. Making matters worse is the fact that the law which is supposed to protect the public is working against those who have the job of upholding it.

My hometown of Coventry is not immune to illegally ridden motorcycles, whether petrol or electrically powered. You see them regularly riding on the roads, pavements, parks and public ground. Quite often two-up and more often than not with the riders wearing nothing more than a health and safety balaclava.

Now, like most sensible people, what I’d like to see happen is for the police to be given any and all powers to help reduce the number of idiots taking to the streets illegally. Sadly, that’s not what is happening. In fact, as PC Tim Bradshaw is finding out this week, tackling crime could actually land you in court.

PC Bradshaw is being pulled across hot coals this week at Portsmouth Crown Court after he knocked a rider and passenger from their illegally ridden electric motorcycle. There’s no published footage of the incident (oh the shame) although a detailed account has been given in court by Mason McGarry - he’s one of the ‘victims’ in the case.

He said: “I cross[ed] the traffic lights and saw a car to my left, I didn’t know what kind of car it was, carried on Hawthorn Road, heard a revving engine and Dom [riding pillion] shouting ‘Police, police’.

“I had a thump from behind and I hit the floor, I must have blacked out for one or two seconds, saw what was going on and managed to get up and hobble away [aka leggit].”

Unfortunately, McGarry’s only injury was a fractured tibia, although the copper who carried out the noble act is the one who is really feeling the pain. Despite McGarry admitting to riding the bike illegally (he had no licence due to being previously banned and the bike was not registered or insured), PC Bradshaw is now in the dock and staring down the barrel of a charge for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

For clarity, the rider of the e-bike has, according to The Standard, 40 previous convictions including robbery, theft, burglary, taking a vehicle without consent, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, assaulting an emergency worker, escaping legal custody and breaching court orders. So he’s basically an angel. The pillion, Mr Dominic Mizzi, also has a notable back catalogue of good behaviour, with prior convictions for theft, public disorder, assaulting emergency workers, drug offences and weapons.

Now, I'm not saying that the police should be free to smash into whoever they like, but given that McGarry and his friend were seen riding an illegal motorcycle and were already known to PC Bradshaw, should he now be facing conviction for simply doing his job? My point is; who would you rather have on the streets outside your house? Mr McGarry and his mate Mr Mizzi, or PC Bradshaw?

PC Bradshaw, 55, of Bersted, West Sussex, denies the charge and the trial continues.