A POLICE officer says he was forced to quit and is now taunted by the e-bike yobs who he rammed with his car.
Ex-PC Tim Bradshaw left Sussex Police following an incident where he sent Mason McGarry and Dominic Mizzi flying after slamming the pair with his car.
PC Tim Bradshaw was cleared after slamming his cop car into two riders on an e-bike[/caption]
Mason McGarry and Dominic Mizzi were sent flying following the collision[/caption]
Bradshaw was cleared of causing serious injury by dangerous driving last month following the fateful chase in Bognor Regis, West Sussex on November 3, 2022.
Portsmouth Crown Court heard McGarry, who was 17 at the time, suffered a broken tibia and required surgery.
The serial offender had more than 40 convictions – including for robbery, theft and dangerous driving.
Last week, Bradshaw came face to face with McGarry for the first time since the incident.
“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 numerous convictions including for assaulting emergency workers.
Bradshaw said he tried to follow the e-bike after it rode past his car on the pavement in an attempt to “goad” him.
Bradshaw said the same bike later pulled in front of him which is when he chose to make “tactical contact” at around 30mph.
But he claimed only he “nudged” the electric bike with the bumper of his vehicle and that it was Mizzi’s “own stupid fault”.
Bradshaw, who said he took early retirement last year because of the strain of the case, 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.”
He says he now fears that cops are now fearful of taking direct action in dangerous situations because of the potential consequences.
He said: “‘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 also found not guilty of an alternative charge of causing serious injury by driving without due care and attention.
The judge praised the officer and 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.
Bradshaw was also found not guilty of an alternative charge of causing serious injury by driving without due care and attention.
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.”