A policeman charged with harmful driving after topping 200km/h on the Hume Freeway has been cleared in a Victorian court docket.
Main Senior Constable Bradley Beecroft was initially charged with 4 offences together with reckless conduct endangering life, which carries a most sentence of 10 years in jail, after prosecutors alleged he hit 230km/h on the Hume Freeway close to Euroa in March 2021 on his approach to help an injured colleague.
Prosecutors later withdrew all fees bar one rely of harmful driving, The Age reviews.
He was as we speak discovered not responsible in a Shepparton court docket, the place Justice of the Peace Victoria Campbell ordered Victoria Police to pay Mr Beecroft’s authorized prices.
“Thanks to the police veterans who lifted me up by the neck and pushed me to the end line, most of whom I’ve by no means met in my life. For his or her assist, I’m grateful,” Mr Beecroft stated exterior court docket, as reported by The Age.
“Thanks to my household and pals exterior of Victoria Police, who made certain my head was as straight because it could possibly be during the last two and a half years. It’s been a really, very tough and distressing time period.
“By advantage of the Declarable Associations, have been remoted by Victoria Police from my former colleagues and pals, and the method has been made all that a lot more durable by the ostracisation.
“Phrases can not very effectively clarify the way it has felt to need to undergo this course of, because of my merely doing the job, of doing it effectively, and in an try and attend to an injured fellow police member as shortly and safely as attainable.
“I’m relieved with a simply end result as we speak and that widespread sense has prevailed. This was not solely a win for all serving cops, however for all emergency companies staff on the frontline, attempting to do the job they’re educated to do.”
We’ve beforehand reported Mr Beecroft overtook 77 automobiles, and flew by way of a velocity digicam at 207km/h in a 110km/h zone.
It was alleged he averaged 205km/h over his 8.7km journey, earlier than arriving at his injured colleague and rendering help.
Different police additionally exceeded the posted velocity restrict on their approach to the scene, however none have been charged.
Mr Beecroft holds a ‘Gold Licence’ with no velocity restrict; a qualification designed to equip police with the abilities required for high-speed pursuit driving on the general public highway.
