Man jailed for crashing motorbike into children in Southampton park
Nathan Cooper has been sentenced to four years and three months imprisonment
Last updated 10th Oct 2025
A man who crashed a motorbike into a group of young children in a Southampton park, while under the influence of drink and drugs, has been imprisoned today.
Nathan Cooper, 40, of Cooper Road in Rye, East Sussex, had been racing his off-road motorcycle around Test Park Sports Ground in Millbrook, Southampton, where a group of six teenage girls were socialising on Sunday 23rd June 2024.
Today, Mr Cooper was sentenced to four years and three months imprisonment after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drink driving, drug driving, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
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.”
A 13-year-old girl was hospitalised with life-threatening injuries after Mr Cooper hit her while riding his bike, and is still in recovery.
Her family issued a statement: "“Our lives were changed completely on the 23rd June 2024 by the actions of the defendant, Mr Cooper.
"Our daughter was left fighting for her life after being hit by a motorcycle that he was recklessly riding in Test Park that day.
“While we welcome and understand the sentence the court has passed down today, we want to say that no prison sentence can ever truly reflect the devastation and trauma that this has caused to ourselves, and our families.
“We would like this opportunity to say a special thank you to Mark Furse and his amazing team at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary for all of their support and dedication throughout this whole criminal case journey.
“The road to recovery for our daughter is still ongoing and that wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the following.
“A heartfelt thank you goes to the incredible team at HIOWAA Air Ambulance Team, Pete and Ewen we will never forget you!
“Finally, to Mr Nigel Hall, the amazing paediatric surgeon and all of the team at Southampton General Hospital who saved, cared for, and continue to rehabilitate our beautiful daughter, there are no words to describe our uttermost gratitude and thanks.”
A 14-year-old girl also sustained minor injuries.
Witnesses said he was riding his motorbike at speed directly at the group of girls before swerving out of the way at the last second.
Police have said one of the girls told them he was riding so close that they could 'feel the wind' from the motorcycle as it sped past them.
A court heard one of the girls told Mr Cooper to stop, but he drove straight at them and tried to go through the middle of the group before colliding with two of the girls.
Analysis of Mr Cooper's breath and blood determined that he was over the drink drive limit and the specified limit for cannabis, at the time of the collision.
Police say the incident was partly captured on a phone as the group of girls had propped it up on a bag to film a video of themselves.
CCTV had also showed Mr Cooper racing the bike around the park at dangerous speeds.
The motorcycle has been seized and will be crushed.