2-year ban for drunk rider on e-scooter

An electric scooter rider who was so drunk he nearly crashed into a police car has been banned from driving for almost two years.

Mohamed Shardi was spotted weaving through two lanes of traffic before narrowly missing a patrol car while moving through Brixton Hill, south London.

When officers stopped the 22year-old on August 8, Shardi was unsteady on his feet and wobbling on the scooter, which are illegal to ride on public roads.

Scotland Yard also said he was argumentative and unsteady on his feet when he was arrested.

He admitted drinking two bottles of beer, but refused to be breathalysed.

Following his arrest, tests at a police station showed he was

‘Showed little regard for law’

two times over the drink- drive limit. Police also said that Shardi ‘defaced his cell with excrement’ while in custody.

On Monday, Shardi pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates’ Court to drink- driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving with no insurance and criminal damage to a police cell.

He was banned from holding or obtaining a driving license for 20 months and handed fines totalling almost £410.

Darren Watson of the Metropolitan Police said: ‘I am pleased with these results. Shardi knew he had been drinking and yet he still got on his scooter and in doing so showed little regard for the law, his safety and that of other road users.

‘E-scooters are illegal to drive apart from on private l and. Please think about this before you use them on the roads.’

The riding of e-scooters on the roads or in a public place remains illegal. But trials of the vehicles are set to begin in London in the spring.