Police officer charged with dangerous driving while racing to assist colleague cleared in court

A police officer charged with dangerous driving after speeding 200km/h on the Hume motorway has been acquitted in a Victorian court.

Top senior Constable Bradley Beecroft was initially charged with four counts including reckless endangering of life, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, after prosecutors accused him of speeding 230 km/h on the Hume Highway near Euroa in March 2021 while en route to assist an injured colleague.

Prosecutors later withdrew all charges except one count of dangerous driving, Age report.

Mr Beecroft was found not guilty today at Shepparton court, where Judge Victoria Campbell ordered Victoria Police to pay Mr Beecroft’s legal costs.

“Thank you to the ex-cops who put their necks and pushed me to the finish line, most of whom I have never met in my life. I am grateful for their support,” Mr Beecroft said outside the court, as reported by Age.

“Thank you to my family and friends outside of Victoria Police who have made sure my head stays clear for the past two and a half years. It was a very, very difficult and painful time.

“As a result of the Association can declare, has been isolated by Victoria Police from my former colleagues and friends, and the process has been made much more difficult by the boycott.

“No words can accurately describe how I felt going through this process, because I was simply doing my job, doing it well and trying to take care of a police colleague who was injured. injury as quickly and safely as possible. Feasibility.

“I am relieved with a fair result today and that common sense prevailed. This is not only a win for all the police officers in service, but also for all the emergency services workers on the front lines who are trying to do the job they are trained to do. do.”

We previously reported that Mr. Beecroft passed 77 cars and flew through the speed camera at 207 km/h in the 110 km/h area.

He is said to have run at an average speed of 205 km/h during his 8.7 km journey, before reaching his injured colleague and providing assistance.

Other officers also exceeded the speed limit on the way to the scene, but no one was charged.

Mr. Beecroft has an unlimited speed ‘Gold License’; a qualification designed to equip police with the skills needed to drive high-speed pursuit vehicles on public roads.