Footballer’s reckless bike stunt
PULLED A WHEELIE RIDING WRONG WAY DOWN A ONE-WAY STREET
A PROMISING footballer pulled a wheelie on an electric motorbike while riding the wrong way down a one-way city centre street with no helmet on.
Brogan Colquhoun, 18, who hopes to become a professional footballer, was spotted just after midnight on August 18 last year by police in an unmarked car on Collingwood Street, in Newcastle.
The stretch of road was busy with pedestrians and cars when Colquhoun appeared on the bike, for which he was not insured and had no licence.
Neil Pallister, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: “The officers’ attention was drawn to an electric motorbike driven by the defendant. It was not displaying a registration plate and he was not wearing a helmet. He rode against the one-way system, into oncoming traffic. As he passed by the nearside of the police vehicle, he accelerated sharply.
“He pulled on the handlebars, causing the front wheel to come off the road. The defendant then turned around and accelerated back towards the police car. As he drew level with the police car, an officer opened the front passenger door, making contact with the bike to try to stop him.
“It caused him to lose his balance and partially dismount and the police officer got out and grabbed him by the shoulders. The defendant tried to accelerate away while they were holding onto him, causing the motorbike to veer up onto the back wheel and it made contact with another car.”
The court heard Colquhoun, of Alston Avenue, Byker, Newcastle, who only had a provisional licence and was not insured to ride the bike, has no previous convictions. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Recorder James Wood KC told him: “This was grossly irresponsible behaviour as a result of which damage and injury could easily have been caused. I put it down to youthful male arrogance and your determination to show off to your friends or others.
“You have the possibility of a promising career in football and you did well at school. I wish you good luck with your career in football but I have to punish you for your behaviour on that night.”
Colquhoun was given a 12-month community order with a four-month curfew but only on Mondays and Fridays so it doesn’t interfere with his football. He was also banned from driving for a year and fined £1,000.
Jonathan Pigford, defending, said he was only 18 at the time and that there was “perhaps some bravado”.
He said it was not Colquhoun’s bike, he was not intoxicated and has expressed regret and remorse.
Mr Pigford said Colquhoun is a keen footballer who plays for a North East academy and two teams and added that if his plans to play the game professionally do not work out he hopes to become a PE teacher or physio. Mr Pigford said: “He is busy with what is potentially a lucrative career. He is essentially a student.”
He said he is soon to become a father and added: “He is from a stable family and this genuinely is out of character.”
AN OAP paedophile who repeatedly raped and sexually abused children has been handed a 37-year extended prison sentence.
John Smith, 76, passed his victims onto fellow paedophile Jeffrey Brown, of Gresham Road, in Middlesbrough, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Brown, 73, was jailed for 28 years last week. The pair subjected children to repeated rapes from the 1980s onwards.
On Tuesday, Smith appeared to mutter to himself as he waited in the dock to be sentenced.
The pensioner, of Heron Drive in Darlington, pleaded guilty to the charges after standing trial for one day.
He admitted six counts or rape – with many of the counts involving multiple attacks, two counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. He has no previous convictions.
His barrister Paul Abrahams previously told the court: “The defendant pleaded guilty at the last minute, having heard what was said by the crown.
“He reflected on his position and did not wish to torment the victims in this case any longer.”