Two sentenced after throwing bin at moving police car in Telford
A man and his teenage accomplice have been sentenced for throwing a wheelie bin at a police car travelling on an A road in Telford.
Daniel Hodnett, aged 20, of Clock Tower Avenue in Wrockwardine Wood, Telford along with a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stole a wheelie bin from Hoop Mill in Hadley on the evening of Monday 27 January 2025.
The pair then dragged the stolen wheelie bin to a nearby footbridge by the Wombridge Interchange that goes over the A442. The court heard how they then lay in wait for a vehicle travelling along the road.
At around 1.52am a marked police car was occupied by response officers PC Lydia Cope and PC Alex Morton-Nash, who were carrying out a routine patrol were travelling along the road. The vehicle did not have its blue lights or sirens on.
As the vehicle approached the footbridge, the pair launched the 240ltr bin into the air, where it came crashing down on to the police vehicle, landing on the windscreen and shattering it.
The impact of the bin caused the windscreen to cave in over the driver’s side, also causing the windscreen wiper to penetrate the glass.
PC Cope’s quick thinking meant she was able to safely stop the vehicle at the side of the road, where they were able to call for backup. By the time officers arrives at the scene, the suspects had fled.
PC Cope suffered injuries to her hands and eye. Both were taken to hospital for further treatment but were able to return to work the following day.
An investigation was quickly launched to identify the people responsible, and on Saturday 2 February, Hodnett and the teenager, were identified from a social media appeal, and arrested.
The pair were then charged in February 2026 with criminal damage - recklessly endangering life, causing danger to road users, two counts of criminal damage to property valued under £5000 and five counts of theft.
Both pleaded guilty to all counts at Telford Magistrates Court on Friday, 13 March. On Friday, 1 May, Hodnett was given a two-year suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. The 17-year-old was referred to the Youth Offending Team.
Superintendent Edward Hancox said: “The actions of Hodnett and his accomplice were nothing short of reckless and irresponsible, and I have no doubt in my mind they could have caused serious harm to road users that night.
“It is pure luck that PC Cope and PC Morton-Nash suffered only minor injuries as it could have had a much worse outcome.
"Thanks to PC Cope’s calmness she was able to pull the vehicle to a safe stop, preventing further harm to any other road users. I hope today’s sentence sends a strong message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
