The quiet streets of Bournemouth, Dorset, were the scene of a tragic and shocking act of violence in April 2025 when 28-year-old Joey Johnstone was killed in a deliberate vehicular attack. What began as a feud between criminal associates escalated into a fatal case of mistaken identity, leaving Johnstone’s family devastated and raising serious questions about the consequences of personal vendettas spilling into public spaces. The woman responsible, Zoe Treadwell, 36, has now been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years for the murder of Johnstone, as well as other serious offences in a related incident.
Fatal Pursuit: The April 9 Incident
The fatal events of April 9, 2025, unfolded when Joey Johnstone, an e-bike rider, became an unintended victim of Treadwell’s anger and aggression. According to Dorset Police, the attack stemmed from a longstanding feud, with Zoe Treadwell targeting her former partner, Joshua Lovell. Tragically, Johnstone was mistaken for Lovell. Reports indicate that Treadwell pursued Johnstone in her Range Rover at alarming speeds, reaching between 66mph and 75mph, and used the vehicle as a weapon.
Court documents revealed that Johnstone had been “goading” Treadwell by cycling near her home, a factor that the judge referenced when sentencing. Mr Justice Linden described how Zoe Treadwell showed total indifference to Johnstone’s fate, making no attempt to assist him after the collision. The attack resulted in Johnstone sustaining a fatal traumatic head injury. The impact of his death on his family has been profound.
In a victim impact statement, Johnstone’s partner, Sophie Quinn, who shares two children with him, described the devastating emotional toll. She recounted the anxiety and grief she has endured and emphasized the irreparable loss of her “soulmate,” while his mother, Michelle Rush, spoke of the profound love and pride she felt for her son, calling him her “perfect son” with “the biggest heart.” The fatal pursuit was not an isolated act of violence. Treadwell’s actions were part of a broader cycle of aggression linked to gang-related disputes.
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Prosecutors described the attack as a deliberate and calculated effort to harm, illustrating the severity and premeditation behind the use of a motor vehicle as a weapon. During the trial, the court heard that Jonjay Harrison, 25, also participated in a related incident on May 1, pursuing Lovell and his associate, Free Jenkins, and causing serious injuries. Harrison, who had been paid £1,000 for his involvement, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place and was sentenced to 32 years in prison.
A Pattern of Violence and Gang-Related Feuds
The April and May incidents highlight the dangerous intersections between personal grudges, gang affiliations, and public safety. Evidence presented during the trial suggested that Zoe Treadwell had become entangled in a feud involving Lovell and his associates. The prosecution argued that both attacks were deliberate attempts to inflict harm, with vehicles being employed as weapons in the escalating conflict.
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In the May 1 incident, Harrison pursued Lovell and Jenkins on an electric motorcycle, ultimately colliding with them and causing catastrophic injuries. Lovell suffered multiple rib fractures, a thoracic vertebrae fracture, and a severe wound to his left thigh and groin. Jenkins, tragically, had his left leg amputated above the knee. Prosecutors stressed that both attacks were consequences of a “long-running grudge or feud,” with both defendants intending to “obliterate their enemies” using their vehicles.
During the trial, Treadwell’s defence sought to mitigate responsibility by highlighting her mental health challenges, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a diagnosis of ADHD. Her counsel argued that she had been “dragged into” the conflict and was acting in a heightened state of stress, feeling under attack in her own home. He emphasized her previous employment as a healthcare assistant and in security and presented a letter she had written to the court expressing sincere sorrow for the outcomes of her actions.
Harrison’s defence similarly claimed that he had made a last-minute decision to collide with the e-bike and did not initially intend to kill, expressing genuine remorse for the injuries caused. The court, however, emphasized the deliberate and reckless nature of the acts, noting the high-speed chases and the sustained pursuit of victims. The judgment highlighted that both Zoe Treadwell and Harrison had exhibited callous disregard for human life, with the Range Rover and Mercedes used aggressively to inflict maximum harm.
Sentencing and the Impact on Families
The sentencing marked a solemn moment in court, with the public gallery reacting vocally to the life sentence handed to Zoe Treadwell. Mr Justice Linden noted the devastating effects on Johnstone’s family and the three children left fatherless. He remarked that no sentence could fully console them for their loss, stressing the indifference Treadwell had shown to Johnstone’s life and her failure to summon help after the attack.
The judge’s sentencing remarks also described the chilling details of the May incident, where Harrison had reportedly smiled during the pursuit and had been financially compensated for his role. Both attacks illustrated the extreme consequences of using vehicles as instruments of revenge, demonstrating how quickly disputes rooted in personal grudges can escalate to life-altering violence.
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The victims’ families provided heartfelt statements, giving the court a glimpse into the profound human impact of these criminal acts. Sophie Quinn described the deep and ongoing grief she felt following Johnstone’s death, noting the enduring psychological effects, while his mother emphasized the loss of a “beautiful man” who had touched so many lives. These testimonies underscored the tragic human cost of acts of violence motivated by anger, jealousy, or mistaken identity.
The case also brought attention to the role of social and gang-related pressures in driving such violent encounters. Prosecutors described the disputes as linked to a broader context of retaliation and intimidation among criminal associates, highlighting the need for law enforcement and communities to address the underlying causes of such conflicts. The use of vehicles in both incidents as weapons amplified the danger to innocent bystanders, making these acts not only personal attacks but public safety threats.
The sentences for Treadwell and Harrison send a clear legal message about the severity of deliberate vehicular assaults. Treadwell’s life sentence with a minimum term of 35 years reflects the premeditated nature of the attack and the tragic loss of life, while Harrison’s 32-year sentence acknowledges the seriousness of his participation in the violent May 1 pursuit. Both cases highlight the judicial system’s focus on accountability, particularly where acts of violence result in death or severe injury.
The tragic events in Bournemouth illustrate the far-reaching consequences of violence motivated by feuds and personal grudges. Joey Johnstone’s death serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of innocent individuals caught in the crossfire of others’ conflicts. The sentences handed down aim to provide justice for the victims and their families while reinforcing societal norms that such extreme acts of violence are unacceptable and will be met with the full force of the law.
This case also underscores the lasting psychological impact on families, as seen in the profound grief expressed by Johnstone’s partner and mother. Beyond the immediate physical injuries, the emotional and mental health consequences for survivors, witnesses, and loved ones remain enduring challenges. Courts increasingly recognize these factors during sentencing, as victim impact statements play a crucial role in illustrating the broader human cost of criminal actions.
The Bournemouth incidents demonstrate how rapidly personal conflicts can escalate into deadly confrontations, especially when compounded by gang associations and access to vehicles as weapons. Law enforcement and community initiatives aimed at conflict resolution, mental health support, and gang intervention remain critical in preventing similar tragedies in the future.
In conclusion, the life sentence for Zoe Treadwell, along with the substantial sentence for Jonjay Harrison, marks a decisive moment in the pursuit of justice for Joey Johnstone and the victims of the May 1 incident. The case highlights the lethal consequences of mistaken identity, vehicular aggression, and ongoing personal feuds, leaving a lasting impact on families and communities in Bournemouth and beyond. The events stand as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of violent retaliation and the urgent need for proactive measures to prevent such tragedies.
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