‘THIS WAS A RIDICULOUS PIECE OF DRIVING’
Scooter rider went on pavements and wrong way round a roundabout in futile escape bid
SCOOTER rider Mitchell Thomas rode on the pavement as he tried to give police the slip.
The 23-year-old was seen by police getting on a scooter at Mcdonalds, Norton Heights. He accelerated away and mounted a pavement as he tried to escape.
He also went the wrong way around a roundabout when he rejoined the roads.
But he was caught when he failed to negotiate a set of barriers.
Now Thomas has been sentenced to an 18-month community order and hit with a 12-month driving ban at Stoke-on-trent Crown Court.
Prosecutor Sophie Murray said he was observed getting on the red scooter at 9.25pm on July 10 last year.
Miss Murray said: “He accelerated away at speed. He went on a pavement adjacent to the pedestrian entrance to Mcdonald’s.
“Police illuminated their lights and siren. He drove on the pavements on Abbotts Drive and Milton Road and rejoined the carriageway and went the wrong way around a roundabout.”
Thomas told police that he had bought the bike shortly before and feared it would be taken from him. He expressed remorse at what he had done.
Thomas, of Holdcroft Road, Bucknall, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, conceded the driving was dangerous, but said Thomas has no previous convictions.
As part of the community order, Thomas must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 10 days and a four month electronically-monitored curfew from 9pm to 5am.
Judge Paul Glenn said: “This was a ridiculous piece of driving. You were lucky there was no accident and noone was injured.”
The judge believes the risk of Thomas re-offending is low.
He added: “I will give you a chance to put this behind you.
“It is not a case where I think custody is necessary. It is not the worst case of its type.
“Get your head down and do not come back to this court.”
Thomas was ordered to pay £350 costs.