Cop weeps in court docket as cocaine fuelled driver him with ‘life altering accidents’

Shaun Orchard was sentenced to three years and two months in prison after the high-speed crash in Stockport left PC Rushton with life-changing injuries

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A driver high on cocaine and alcohol who smashed into a police car and left an officer with life-altering injuries has been locked up.

Shaun Orchard, 23, received a three years and two months prison sentence following the crash during a high-speed pursuit through Stockport in the early hours of April 22 last year.

Tactical pursuit officer PC Rushton, whose full name was not disclosed in court, sustained serious injuries and told the hearing: “I no longer recognise the person I used to be.”

Minshull Street Crown Court was told Orchard pinched his stepfather’s motor after boozing at a pub and snorting cocaine. Robert Hyde reported his Mercedes stolen after overhearing Orchard’s mother screaming down the phone: “Come back, get out of the car.”

Police traced Orchard and he led officers on a breakneck chase through Stockport. He was initially clocked on Crookilley Way near Bredbury Interchange at approximately 3.50am. He made gestures at officers from the motor before heading onto the M60, where he drove recklessly, undertaking lorries and hitting speeds of up to 120mph.

He then left the motorway at junction 24 and carried on at speeds of around 100mph along the 30mph Hyde Road. Officers radioed for reinforcements before tactical pursuit officer PC Rushton joined the pursuit, reports the Mirror. As Orchard sped through a red light at a junction on Hyde Road, he slammed into the officer’s motor. The collision hurled PC Rushton’s car into a building, while the Mercedes smashed into a wall outside a pub.

Eleanor Gleeson, prosecuting, told the court that PC Rushton was left “disoriented” following the collision and fell unconscious as fellow officers and a member of the public rushed to his aid. Both casualties were rushed to Manchester Royal Infirmary. PC Rushton sustained severe injuries, including broken ribs, a complicated ankle fracture, a broken arm, a burst bladder resulting in an internal hernia, along with cuts, bruising and swelling across his hip, legs and arms.

The officer became emotional as he delivered his victim impact statement to the court. He told the hearing: “Before this collision I was proud of who I was. I was proud to serve as a police officer. It was never just a job to me – it was a vocation, a passion… something I dreamed about doing since I was a child and dedicated years of my life to achieve that role.

“I was independent, motivated and excited about the future. I genuinely believed the best years of my life were ahead of me. That all changed because of the defendant’s selfish and reckless actions.” PC Rushton revealed he now battles physical, mental and emotional challenges, stating: “I no longer recognise the person I used to be.”

The officer added: “I relive the collision repeatedly in my mind. I experience intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, taking me back to the moment of the impact.”

The constable explained he is no longer at full capacity and finds it difficult to walk and remain standing for extended periods. He has since returned to duty with limitations on his role.

PC Rushton revealed the collision occurred just months before his wedding and has left him terrified about starting a family. He also outlined the effect on his wife as “heartbreaking”, explaining she has “had to watch the person she loves suffer unimaginable pain, trauma and distress.”

PC Rushton further informed the court that when he was initially brought to hospital, Orchard was positioned in a neighbouring cubicle and was “shouting and being abusive to my colleagues”.

He stated: “Even then, there was no remorse, no accountability shown for the devastation they had caused. Orchard made deliberate choices that day. Choices that showed a complete disregard for the safety and lives of everybody else on the road.

“In trying to save themselves from the consequences of their own actions, they caused catastrophic consequences for me that I will carry for the rest of my life.”

Joshua Matthews, mitigating, stated: “If he could wind the clock back to that date, he would. He deeply regrets his actions. This was a reckless and stupid, life-altering decision for both the defendant and the victim, which he will never repeat.”

Mr Matthews noted Orchard did not “set out to joyride”, emphasising that he was “not thinking of the consequences of his actions”. He added: “He is very sorry for what he did, he expresses that to the court, the victim and his own family.”

The court was told Orchard had 112 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 80, and 216 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine per 100ml, surpassing the legal threshold of 50. During sentencing, Judge Kevin Slack remarked: “The reason you gave your probation officer for driving that night was because you wanted to have more alcohol to drink and there was none in the flat.

“I find there was a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road. It was a prolonged, persistent and deliberate course of driving whilst highly impaired by the consumption of drugs. If I had the power to suspend the sentence, I would not.”

Alongside the prison term, Orchard, from Neville Street, Hazel Grove, received a five and a half year driving ban. He had earlier admitted to aggravated vehicle theft and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

After the sentencing, Detective Constable Adrian Beckford, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, stated: “This was an extremely dangerous incident that could easily have had fatal consequences. During the pursuit, Orchard ignored traffic signals, failed to stop at junctions, and drove through red lights, placing members of the public at significant risk.

“Orchard showed a complete disregard for the safety of the public and our police officers. Checks later revealed that Orchard held only a provisional driving licence and he was over the prescribed limit for both alcohol and drugs at the time. Orchard should not have been on our roads driving so dangerously.

“The bravery and professionalism of the officers involved ensured he was brought to justice. The officer sustained serious injuries and required a prolonged hospital stay. The officer is still suffering from their injuries, and it is likely these will be life long. This is an example of the dangers our officers face every day in order to keep our communities safe.”