A peaceful game of golf turned into a horrific nightmare last year when Suzanne Cherry, a vibrant 62-year-old, was tragically killed. Her life was cruelly taken by John McDonald, a 52-year-old rogue roofer, who plowed into her with a van while desperately fleeing a police chase on a Staffordshire golf course.
McDonald admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. The court heard how the 12-minute pursuit saw him speeding at 70mph in 30mph zones, driving on the wrong side of the road, mounting pavements, and ramming a police car multiple times. Tragically, Suzanne was simply looking for her golf ball when McDonald’s reckless escape brought devastation. She died days later, just before her 63rd birthday.
In a shocking display of callousness, McDonald, along with his son Johnny McDonald and Brett Delaney, fled the scene, with witnesses reporting the driver stepping over Suzanne’s injured body. The police chase began because McDonald and his accomplices were wanted for a string of frauds, targeting elderly and vulnerable victims with shoddy, overpriced roofing work. They had just followed another elderly customer to a cash machine for payment when officers spotted them.
Judge James Burbidge KC described McDonald’s actions as “wicked in the extreme.” He sentenced John McDonald to 13-and-a-half years in prison for her death, with concurrent sentences for the fraud. His son and Delaney also received prison sentences for their part in the elaborate fraud scheme.
Suzanne’s husband, Clint Harrison, described her as an “inspiration” – a company owner, advanced motorcyclist, cyclist, and diver. Her zest for life was undeniable, making her loss all the more heartbreaking. While no sentence can bring Suzanne back, this verdict serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of selfish ambition and reckless disregard for human life.
