Overview
- Worcester Crown Court jailed John McDonald, 52, for 13 years and six months for causing the death of Suzanne Cherry, 62, and ordered he serve two-thirds before release on licence.
- Judge James Burbidge KC imposed a concurrent four-year term for conspiracy to commit fraud and described McDonald’s conduct as wicked in the extreme.
- The van struck Ms Cherry at Aston Wood Golf Club on April 11, 2025 after a pursuit that hit 70 mph in 30 mph zones, involved ramming a police car and ended with the vehicle entering the course; she died in hospital four days later.
- Co-defendants Johnny McDonald, 23, and Brett Delaney, 35, were jailed for 32 months and 28 months respectively for the fraud carried out under the Approved Roofs Ltd name.
- An Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation into the pursuit and policing decisions before the fatal collision remains ongoing.