Police officer wept as he faced drug-driver who left him with life-changing injuries

Shaun Orchard, 23, has been jailed for three years and two months after a high-speed chase in Stockport in which he crashed into a police vehicle and left an officer with life-changing injuries

17:20, 06 Jun 2026Updated 01:04, 07 Jun 2026

Shaun Orchard, 23, has been jailed for three years and two months(Image: Greater Manchester Police)

A cocaine and alcohol-fuelled driver who crashed into a police vehicle and left an officer with life-changing injuries has been jailed.

Shaun Orchard, 23, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison after the collision[1] during a high-speed chase in Stockport[2] in the early hours of April 22 last year. Tactical pursuit officer PC Rushton, whose full name was not given in court, sustained serious injuries that are likely to affect him for the rest of his life.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard Orchard stole his stepdad's car after drinking in a pub and taking cocaine. Robert Hyde reported his Mercedes[3] missing after hearing Orchard's mother shouting on the phone: "Come back, get out of the car."

Police tracked Orchard down and he led officers on a high-speed pursuit across Stockport.

He was first spotted on Crookilley Way near Bredbury Interchange at around 3.50am. He gestured at officers from the vehicle before heading onto the M60, where he drove erratically, undertaking lorries and reaching speeds of up to 120mph, the Manchester Evening News[4] reports.

Orchard ignored traffic signals, failed to stop at junctions and drove through red lights before the crash(Image: MEN)

He then exited the motorway at junction 24 and continued at speeds of around 100mph along the 30mph Hyde Road. Officers called for backup before PC Rushton joined the chase.

As Orchard drove through a red light at a crossroads on Hyde Road, he collided with the officer's vehicle.

The impact sent PC Rushton's car into a building, while the Mercedes struck a wall outside a pub.

Eleanor Gleeson, prosecuting, said PC Rushton was "disoriented" after the crash and lost consciousness as officers and a passer-by rushed to help. Both men were taken to Manchester[5] Royal Infirmary.

PC Rushton suffered serious injuries including fractured ribs, a complex ankle fracture, a fractured arm, a ruptured bladder leading to an internal hernia, cuts and bruises, and swelling to his hip, legs and arms.

PC Rushton wept as he read his statement to the court. He said: "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."

He said he now struggles physically, mentally and emotionally, adding: "I no longer recognise the person I used to be." "I relive the collision repeatedly in my mind," he said. "I experience intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, taking me back to the moment of the impact."

Orchard was banned from driving for five and a half years(Image: Greater Manchester Police)

The officer said he is no longer fully active and struggles to walk and stand for long periods. He has returned to work on restricted duties.

He said the crash happened just months before his wedding and has left him fearful about starting a family. He also described the impact on his wife as "heartbreaking", saying she has "had to watch the person she loves suffer unimaginable pain, trauma and distress".

PC Rushton also told the court that when he was first taken to hospital, Orchard was placed in a nearby cubicle and was heard "shouting and being abusive to my colleagues".

He said: "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, said: "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 said Orchard did not "set out to joyride", adding that he was "not thinking of the consequences of his actions". "He is very sorry for what he did, he expresses that to the court, the victim and his own family," he added.

The court heard Orchard had 112 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood, above the legal limit of 80, and 216 micrograms of benzoylecgonine per 100ml, above the legal limit of 50.

'This is an example of the dangers our officers face every day'

Sentencing him, Judge Kevin Slack said: "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."

In addition to the jail term, Orchard, of Neville Street, Hazel Grove, was also banned from driving for five and a half years.

He previously pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Adrian Beckford, of GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "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 lifelong.

This is an example of the dangers our officers face every day in order to keep our communities safe."

References

1. ^ collision (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ Stockport (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ Mercedes (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ Manchester Evening News (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ Manchester (www.mirror.co.uk)