A rogue builder has admitted causing the death of a beloved mother-of-three after a horrifying police chase that ended on a tranquil golf course.
A Reckless 12-Minute Pursuit
John McDonald, aged 52, drove with a complete disregard for public safety, initiating a desperate 12-minute flight from officers. The court heard how he reached speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones, drove on the wrong side of the road, and rammed into police vehicles in a bid to escape.
The pursuit began on 11 April last year near Sutton Coldfield, after two officers in a marked car grew suspicious of a grey Nissan van. Inside were McDonald, his 23-year-old son Johnny, and 35-year-old Brett Delaney. The trio had been tailing an elderly victim to a cash machine as part of a conspiracy to commit fraud related to substandard roofing work.
Tragedy on the Fairway
In a final, catastrophic manoeuvre, McDonald drove up a grassy slope and onto the grounds of Aston Wood Golf Club in Shenstone. At that moment, Suzanne Cherry, 62, was playing a round with her husband, Clinton Harrison.
Mrs Cherry had just played her second shot, which had headed towards a stream. As she searched for her ball, her husband heard the sound of a speeding vehicle. He shouted her name, but it was too late. "She turned but in that moment he saw the van hit her and heard her scream," prosecutor Michael Burrows KC told Worcester Crown Court. "He said she could not possibly have got out of the way."
Mr Harrison witnessed the driver's side door open and saw the occupants "decanting from the vehicle." He stated the driver "actually stepped over Sue as he ran from the van."
Aftermath and Guilty Pleas
Despite extensive medical intervention, including the amputation of her leg and emergency surgery, Suzanne Cherry died from her severe injuries four days later. Data showed the van was travelling at 41mph just seconds before the collision.
On Monday, John McDonald pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. The court heard he was illiterate and did not hold a driving licence. All three men in the van also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for swindling elderly victims through roofing scams between February and April last year.
The men, who have prior convictions, are due to be sentenced on Tuesday.
