Van driver in police pursuit 'fatally hit mother-of-three who was looking for golf ball'

A van driver in a police pursuit ploughed into a mother-of-three who was looking for her golf ball and then stepped over her body as he fled, a court has heard.

John McDonald, 52, damaged vehicles, drove on the wrong side of the road, mounted pavements and rammed a police car following him at least eight times, during a 12-minute pursuit through the streets of Birmingham at speeds of up to 70mph.

McDonald then entered Aston Wood Golf Club in Shenstone, Staffordshire, where Suzanne Cherry, 62, and her husband Clint Harrison were playing golf on 11 April last year.

She was struck by McDonald as she searched for her ball near a stream on the course, Worcester Crown Court was told.

The victim suffered multiple catastrophic injuries and died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham four days later.

McDonald, of Bloxwich, admitted causing the death of Ms Cherry by dangerous driving on the day his trial was due to start on Monday.

He and his co-defendants Johnny McDonald, 23, of Dudley, and Brett Delaney, 35, of Darlaston, pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiracy to commit fraud by making false representations that roofing work was needed when it was not, between 17 February and 12 April last year.

All three had previously denied charges of manslaughter.

After Ms Cherry's death, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the fatal collision and the involvement of West Midlands Police officers.

The IOPC said two patrol cars had started following a van in Kingstanding, Birmingham, after receiving reports of suspicious activity.

Police officers stopped following the van when it came off the road and went up an embankment at the Aston Wood Golf Club, where it hit Ms Cherry, who was from Aldridge.

Read more from Sky News:
Father jailed for 35 years after baby injured
Man jailed for violent bottle attack on train

Ms Cherry's husband said shortly after her death that she would be "painfully missed" by her family and friends.

Her husband said in a statement that he had "watched in helpless horror" as Ms Cherry was struck.

"While enjoying what should have been the safest of one of Suzanne's many activities, I watched in helpless horror as the life of my beautiful wife and our future together was snatched away in an instant," he said.

"Suzanne had an amazing and infectious zest for life which touched everyone who was fortunate enough to know her.

"She was unselfish, always ready to encourage with love and support those around her to achieve more than they themselves thought possible.

"Suzanne leaves a legacy and an unfillable void in the lives of her mother Maureen, her three adult children, two step-children and countless others from her work, her sporting activities and social circle.

"Sue was loved, and will be painfully missed by her entire family and friends."

The sentencing hearing is expected to continue on Tuesday.

(c) Sky News 2026: Van driver in police pursuit 'fatally hit mother-of-three who was looking for golf ball'