Dangerous driver jailed after high-speed pursuit seriously injured police officer in Stockport

A dangerous driver who led police on a high-speed pursuit reaching speeds of up to 120mph before colliding with a police vehicle and seriously injuring an officer has been sentenced.

Shaun Orchard (28/05/2003) of Neville Street, Hazel Grove was sentenced to three years and two months in prison and handed a five year and six month disqualification after being found guilty of aggravated vehicle taking and causing serious injury by dangerous driving at a previous hearing. 

Orchard was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (Friday 5 June 2026).

In the early hours of Tuesday 22 April 2025 at approximately 3:27am, police received a 999 call reporting that Orchard had taken a man’s Mercedes car without his consent in Heaton Norris, Stockport. The caller reported that Orchard was drunk.

Officers quickly deployed across Stockport and at around 3:50am, a road policing officer located the Mercedes on Crookiley Way.

The car was seen driving erratically and as officers followed it, Orchard gestured at them from the driver’s window before joining the M60.

Once on the motorway, Orchard reached speeds of up to 120mph. He later exited at junction 24 and continued driving dangerously along Hyde Road - a 30mph zone - at speeds of around 100mph.

As Orchard approached the traffic lights on Hengist Street at the junction with Hyde Road they were displaying red and had been for some time. 

As the officer approached the traffic lights on Hyde Road, the traffic lights began to phase through to red. Orchard drove through the red light and collided with the police vehicle.

The impact caused the police vehicle to strike a nearby building, while the Mercedes crashed into a brick wall.

Officers immediately detained Orchard at the scene. Both Orchard and the injured officer were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Orchard was interviewed the following day at Stockport police station, where he provided no comment.

In a powerful victim impact statement read out in court, the victim said: “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.

“The defendant made abhorrently selfish decisions and those decisions have left me with life-changing physical injuries and psychological trauma that I will carry for the rest of my life. While the defendant will move on quickly from this, I will continue living with the consequences every single day for the rest of mine.”

Detective Constable Adrian Beckford, of our 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 life-long.

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