Zoe Treadwell, 36, hunted her victim like prey, using her Range Rover as a weapon in a shocking case of mistaken identity. The pursuit ended in tragedy on April 9th of last year, resulting in the death of 28-year-old Joey Johnstone.
The court heard how Treadwell, after realizing she’d targeted the wrong person, escalated the violence. She enlisted the help of Jonjay Harrison, 25, to attempt a second, equally devastating attack. This chilling decision led to further horrific injuries and a life sentence for both individuals.
Treadwell’s actions weren’t isolated. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder another man and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Free Jenkins, who tragically lost a leg in a separate incident on May 1st. The sheer brutality of her crimes culminated in a 35-year minimum sentence at Winchester Crown Court.
Harrison, convicted on the same charges related to the May 1st attacks, received a 32-year prison term. He had pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place, adding another layer to the gravity of his involvement. The courtroom erupted in raw emotion as the sentences were delivered, a woman’s anguished cry echoing through the space.
Sophie Quinn, mother to two of Mr. Johnstone’s children, described a life irrevocably shattered. In a heartbreaking victim impact statement, she spoke of a “soulmate taken away forever” after he went for a simple evening bike ride. The thought of never hearing his voice again, she confessed, broke her heart.
Joey Johnstone’s mother, Michelle Rush, shared the profound loss of a son she described as her “perfect” child, a man who blossomed into someone with an immense heart. The judge acknowledged the devastating impact of Treadwell’s actions, stating no sentence could truly console the family left fatherless.
The judge detailed how Johnstone had been “goading” Treadwell by cycling near her home, but emphasized this did not justify her response. He condemned her use of the car as a deliberate weapon, highlighting her complete indifference to the victim’s fate and her failure to offer any assistance.
Evidence revealed Harrison was “smiling and smiling” during the pursuit, and was paid £1,000 for his participation. The prosecution painted a picture of relentless chases, with the Range Rover reaching speeds of 66-75 mph while pursuing e-bikes ridden at full speed.
Defense arguments attempted to frame the incidents as stemming from an “ongoing feud between two criminal gangs,” suggesting Treadwell was merely caught in the crossfire. They also highlighted her personal struggles with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and a letter expressing her “sincere sorrow.”
Harrison’s defense claimed his involvement was a “last-minute” decision, lacking any intent to kill, and expressed “genuine remorse” for the injuries caused. He was said to have acted after hearing of threats against Treadwell. However, these arguments failed to mitigate the severity of the crimes.
The prosecution presented a stark narrative of calculated aggression. They described two “horrific collisions” where cars were deliberately driven into young men on e-bikes, relentlessly pursued and then rammed. These were not accidents, but acts of vengeance fueled by a long-running grudge.
In the May 1st incident, Harrison pursued Mr. Lovell and his passenger, Mr. Jenkins, on an electric motorcycle, creating a “grim chase” from which there was no escape. Mr. Jenkins suffered the devastating loss of his leg, while Mr. Lovell sustained multiple fractures and a severe wound.
The prosecutor concluded that Treadwell and Harrison had sought to “obliterate their enemies,” choosing their cars as the instruments of destruction. The case stands as a chilling example of how personal vendettas can escalate into unimaginable violence, leaving a trail of heartbreak and irreversible damage.
