Moment roofer flees from police before killing mum-of-three at golf course

John McDonald, 52, drove recklessly at speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones, ramming police cars and crashing through Aston Wood Golf Club in Shenstone where he hit Suzanne Cherry, 62, who died four days later

19:32, 12 Jan 2026

John McDonald, 52, drove recklessly at speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones.(Image: )

This is the moment a rogue builder led police on a 12-minute pursuit before tragically striking a beloved mother of three who was enjoying a round of golf.

John McDonald, aged 52, drove 'recklessly without a care for anyone', veering onto the wrong side of the road and reaching speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone. He rammed into police vehicles before attempting to flee through a golf course where Suzanne Cherry, 62, had just taken her second shot.

Mrs Cherry was accompanied by her husband Clinton Harrison, who watched in 'helpless horror' as McDonald's[1] van hurtled down an embankment towards a stream where his wife was searching for her ball.

Mr Harrison recounted how he yelled 'Sue' at the top of his voice. She turned around, but the van struck her before she could possibly move out of the way - there simply wasn't enough time to react.

He recalled shouting 'you b****** have killed my wife' as he saw three men exit the van and run away.

Brett Delaney, who was traveling in a van driven by John McDonald, which collidied with Suzanne Cherry as she played golf.(Image: )

He noted that the driver 'actually stepped over Sue as he ran from the van', adding: "I was just screaming so I knew they would have my screams ringing in their ears for the rest of their lives."

Mrs Cherry sustained multiple severe injuries.

Despite having her leg amputated in hospital, she sadly passed away four days later.

On Monday, McDonald, who the court heard was illiterate and did not possess a driving licence, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in relation to the crash at Aston Wood Golf Club in Shenstone, near Sutton Coldfield[2], on 11 April last year.

McDonald of Bloxwich, along with his son Johnny McDonald, 23, of Dudley[3] and Brett Delany, 35, of Darlaston, Walsall[4], who were also present in the van at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud related to roofing work between February and April of the previous year.

Worcester Crown Court was informed that the trio swindled elderly and vulnerable victims out of tens of thousands of pounds for substandard roof work and unnecessary repairs.

The court heard that on the day of the accident, they were tailing an elderly victim in their grey Nissan van to a cash machine when two police officers in a marked car spotted them.

Prosecutor Michael Burrows KC stated that the officers initiated a pursuit after Brett Delaney noticed them and turned his head, arousing their suspicion.

Over the following 12 minutes, the officers chased the van driven by McDonald.

Jonny McDonald, who was traveling in a van driven by John McDonald, which collidied with Suzanne Cherry as she played golf.(Image: )

In chilling footage shown to the court, McDonald can be seen colliding with cars, including one carrying an 11-month-old baby, driving on the wrong side of the road, running red lights, and reaching speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones.

John McDonald, 51, of Booth Street, Bloxwich.(Image: )

McDonald also repeatedly rammed the pursuing police car, reversing into it, 'No doubt trying to disable it,' Mr Burrows added.

He then drove up a grassy slope and onto a golf course where Mrs Cherry was playing with her husband.

Mr Burrows mentioned that they were scheduled to tee off at 10.24am but had arrived early and, finding no one ahead of them, had started earlier.

Mr Burrows recounted how the couple 'started their game as they always did with a peck on the cheek and shook hands'.

He described Mrs Cherry's tee shot as perfectly straight, and after both had played their second shots, Mrs Cherry's ball headed towards a stream.

According to Mr Burrows, Mr Harrison saw his wife 10 to 15 yards ahead of him, then heard the sound of a speeding vehicle and spotted the van driving directly at his wife.

"He could still see her clearly," Mr Burrows relayed. "He shouted Sue as loud as he could, she turned but in that moment he saw the van hit her and heard her scream.

"He said she could not possibly have got out of the way - there just wasn't time to react."

Mr Burrows stated that the driver made no effort to brake and Mr Harrison could only see the colour of Sue's hair as she lay on the ground.

At this juncture, according to Mr Burrows, the driver's side door swung open and he observed people 'decanting from the vehicle'.

He reported that the driver 'actually stepped over Sue as he ran from the van'.

Paramedic teams arrived at the scene, Mr Burrows said, and multiple interventions were carried out so she could be transported to hospital, including an emergency blood transfusion.

She was airlifted to hospital with numerous rib fractures and underwent surgery, but CT scans revealed severe brain damage.

The court was informed that the van was moving at 41 mph five seconds before the airbag deployed.

The three men were apprehended days later.

Initially, they were accused of manslaughter, a charge they refuted.

The court was informed that all three have prior convictions.

They are due to be sentenced on Tuesday.

References

1. ^ McDonald's (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Sutton Coldfield (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Dudley (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ Walsall (www.birminghammail.co.uk)