A trial date has been fixed for three men accused of causing the death of a mother-of-three who was struck by a van on a golf course in Sutton Coldfield.
The Incident and Charges
Suzanne Cherry, aged 62, was hit by a grey Nissan van at Aston Wood Golf Club in Blake Street on Friday, 11 April 2025. The incident occurred after the vehicle was allegedly involved in a police pursuit. Mrs Cherry was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but sadly died from her injuries four days later, on Tuesday, 15 April.
Following an investigation by Staffordshire Police, three men were charged with a series of offences connected to the tragic event. The charges include:
- Manslaughter
- Driving a motor vehicle dangerously
- Causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving
- Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation
The accused are John McDonald, 51, of Bloxwich; Johnny McDonald, 22, of Netherton, Dudley; and Brett Delaney, 34, of Darlaston, Walsall. All three have entered not guilty pleas.
Trial Details and Police Watchdog Probe
The case is scheduled to be heard at Worcester Crown Court. The trial is set to start on Monday, 12 January 2026 and is expected to last for seven weeks.
The circumstances leading to the collision were independently investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). This was because the van was being pursued by West Midlands Police officers, who were responding to reports of 'suspicious activity', immediately before it entered the golf course.
An IOPC spokesman stated their investigation, completed in October 2025, examined whether the officers involved followed national and local policy during the pursuit. The findings will be published after all court proceedings conclude to avoid prejudice. The watchdog extended its sympathies to Mrs Cherry's family.
What Happens Next
The community now awaits the start of the high-profile trial in the new year. The proceedings will seek to establish the full facts surrounding the events of 11 April that led to the loss of Suzanne Cherry's life. The IOPC's pending report will also provide crucial insight into the police actions prior to the collision on the Sutton Coldfield golf course.
