Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Friday 2nd May 2025 at 12:30hrs
A 19-year-old man from Bickley, near Malpas, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after deliberately ramming a police car with a tractor. Alfred Brereton appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, May 1st, where he was handed the custodial sentence.
Brereton, of Bickley Town Lane, had previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage recklessly endangering life. In addition to his jail term, he has also been banned from driving for three years and three months, commencing upon his release.
The court heard that police were called at 11:20 pm on Saturday, May 25th, 2024, following reports of a suspected drink driver in Malpas. The caller informed authorities that the individual was driving a tractor that had been parked outside a local pub.
Officers swiftly responded and, shortly before midnight, located a red tractor driven by Brereton on a nearby road. They activated their emergency lights and sirens, instructing him to stop.
However, Brereton ignored their commands and drove the tractor off-road into a field.
As the police pursued the tractor, Brereton then reversed the large agricultural vehicle and deliberately rammed the police car. This act caused damage exceeding £10,000 and left the two attending officers deeply shaken.
Following the collision, Brereton fled the scene but was later apprehended at his home. A subsequent breath test at his residence recorded a zero reading.
In a poignant victim personal statement read to the court, one of the officers involved expressed the profound impact of the incident, stating that he had “never been scared or fearful for my life before this.” He further added, “The actions of the driver were deliberate, we gave him no reason to use such a large and powerful agricultural vehicle against us, I believe he fully intended to hurt us.”
Detective Constable Kelly Connolley, who led the investigation, commented on the sentencing: “I welcome the sentence handed to Brereton, which reflects the severity of his indefensible and extremely dangerous actions that day.”
“He used an extremely powerful vehicle to deliberately ram the police car, with the aim of causing as much damage as possible. It is only by chance that the two officers involved did not sustain any serious injuries,” DC Connolley emphasized.
She further highlighted the significant consequences of Brereton’s actions, stating, “Brereton also caused more than £10,000 to a response police car, leaving it off the road for several weeks while the car was repaired.”
DC Connolley concluded by pointing out the senselessness of Brereton’s choices:
“He committed all of these actions knowing that had he just stopped for the officers as requested, he would have passed the drink drive test and been allowed to make his way home. Instead, he’s now facing 30 months behind bars, which will allow him to reflect upon his actions.”
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