A nuisance biker who led police on a pursuit before driving through a red light and hitting an innocent motorist has been convicted.
Nathan Smith was illegally riding a Surron electric motorbike through Darlington on October 6 last year when officers signalled for him to stop. The 23-year-old ignored their demands and sped off at high speed through the Yarm Road area of the town, riding on pavements and without a helmet.
At the junction with Geneva Road, he rode straight through a red light and collided with a car. Thankfully, nobody was injured during the collision and Smith was brought into custody.
During his arrest, he told officers he thought it was a “shame” his bike was ruined and that he tried to make off from them as he didn’t want them to confiscate the machine.
Smith, of Peel Street, Darlington, was charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He was also charged with drug driving after he was found to have cannabis in his system.
Smith pleaded guilty to all the offences and appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday (March 4) for sentencing. Magistrates handed him a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for a year and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.
Sergeant Michael Ableson, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Smith’s actions that day could very easily have ended in tragedy. He showed absolutely zero regard for the law or for his fellow road users and pedestrians and was extremely lucky not to have injured himself or an innocent member of the public.
“We understand and share the community’s frustrations with riders such as Smith who terrorise our communities and make misery for law-abiding residents. I hope this result shows we will not tolerate this type of behaviour and will do everything we can to tackle these people and bring a stop to their offending.
“If you have any information on nuisance bikers in your area then let us know.”
Email opendurance@durham.police.uk or call us on 101. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/county-durham-biker-hit-motorist-31192317
