Illegal off-road biker caught by police chopper

AN OFF-ROAD biker is the first person to be jailed in a police crackdown – after being caught riding on pavements and going through a red light.

A camera from a police helicopter captured Marcus Huish, 25, as he rode dangerously around the St Fagans and Ely areas of Cardiff in April.

He was spotted in St Fagans and then followed as he rode into Ely.

The CCTV shows him not wearing a helmet, undertaking vehicles and mounting the pavement on several occasions.

The biker eventually came to a stop on Parker Road in the city where he was met by officers working on a South Wales Police operation set up to tackle anti-social and dangerous behaviour relating to offroad bikes.

Huish is the first person to be sent to prison as a result of work by Operation Red Mana in Cardiff. Sergeant Ben Davies, based at Fairwater Police Station, said: “We know that off-road bikes are a massive concern for the community and we hope this case gives reassurance that we do take this issue seriously.

“It should also serve as a warning to those who are committing road traffic offences when they ride their scramblers on the road.”

Huish, from Caerau, was sentenced to four months at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court after admitting dangerous driving and driving without a licence and insurance.

In addition to the four-month prison sentence, he was also fined £85, banned from driving for two years and will have to pass an extended driving test.

His motorbike was seized after the incident on April 20.

Sergeant Davies added: “Our concerns are that someone could be hurt by these bikes which are being ridden at high-speed and also the noise which is damaging the quality of life for residents.

“The last thing we want is to be called to the scene of a road traffic collision where a child has been hurt or worse.

“The community are our eyes and ears and if they can tell us who is responsible for off-road bike nuisance and where there are problems, then we can make sure our officers are in the right place, at the right time.”

Anyone with information regarding off-road bikes should e-mail opredmana@south-wales. pnn.police.uk. To report on ongoing incident call 101 or 999 in an emergency