A man from Bloxwich has been jailed for 13 years and six months after admitting to causing death by dangerous driving.
Roofer John McDonald, 52, was jailed at Worcester Crown Court on January 12, 2026. McDonald was also handed a concurrent sentence of 48 months for conspiracy to defraud.
Suzanne Cherry was killed when McDonald’s van struck her as she played golf with her husband at Aston Wood Golf Club in Staffordshire. McDonald, his son and another man had been defrauding elderly customers out of tens of thousands of pounds by performing poor or unnecessary roofing work on their properties.
On April 11, McDonald and his co-workers were travelling in a grey Nissan van when they were spotted by a police officer, who began to follow them. A chase ensued, in which the van reached speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones, rammed pursuing police vehicles, and drove down the wrong side of the road, damaging at least five vehicles. The van then veered off the road onto the golf course, and the police halted their pursuit. Ms. Cherry was searching for a golf ball near a stream, when the van struck and killed her.
If you are being investigated for a motoring offence, such as careless or dangerous driving, solicitors with specialist knowledge can give the advice and support you need. At Auriga Advocates, we can offer a high level of support and advice tailored to your circumstances. Contact us now and we can help you as your case progresses.