Man Jailed After Crashing Motorbike Into Group of Girls in Southampton Park

A man who ploughed his motorbike into a group of young girls in a Southampton park while under the influence of drink and drugs has been jailed for more than four years.

Nathan Cooper, 40, of Cooper Road, Rye, East Sussex, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court today (Friday 10 October) to four years and three months in prison after admitting to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drink driving, drug driving, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that Cooper was riding an off-road motorcycle through Test Park Sports Ground in Millbrook, Southampton, on 23 June 2024, where a group of six teenage girls were socialising. Witnesses said he was “showing off” and racing around the park, repeatedly driving at the group in an apparent attempt to scare them.

Cooper, who had his 11 year old daughter riding pillion, was seen speeding towards the girls before swerving away at the last moment. One of the victims told police that the motorbike passed so close they could “feel the wind” as it went by.

When one of the girls told him to stop, Cooper instead drove straight at them, attempting to go through the middle of the group. He struck two of the girls, leaving a 13 year old with life-threatening injuries and a 14 year old with minor wounds. The younger girl was airlifted to hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery and continues to recover.

The terrifying incident was partly captured on a mobile phone as the girls had propped it up to film a TikTok video. CCTV from the park also showed Cooper riding at dangerous speeds.

Police analysis found that Cooper was over the legal limit for both alcohol and cannabis at the time of the crash.

Police Staff Investigator Mark Furse, who led the investigation, said:

“These girls were terrified by Mr Cooper’s continued attempts to frighten them. They screamed after he got really close to them on one occasion, but even then he continued to show off before finally losing control and injuring two young girls. No sensible person would behave this way, and it is a miracle nobody was killed.”

In a statement read to the court, the family of the 13 year old victim said their lives had been “completely changed” by Cooper’s reckless actions.

“Our daughter was left fighting for her life after being hit by a motorcycle that he was recklessly riding in Test Park that day,” they said. “While we welcome and understand the sentence the court has passed down today, no prison sentence can ever truly reflect the devastation and trauma this has caused to ourselves and our families.”

They also expressed heartfelt thanks to Police Staff Investigator Mark Furse and his team, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance crew, and the paediatric surgical team at Southampton General Hospital for saving and caring for their daughter.

“There are no words to describe our utmost gratitude and thanks,” they added.