POLICE CATCH DRINK-DRIVE BIKER WITH FLICK KNIFE IN HIS POCKET
Motorcyclist nearly twice legal limit when stopped on way to nightclub
MOTORCYCLIST Connor Smith was found with a flick knife in his pocket after he was arrested for drink-driving.
The 22-year-old stopped off in Hanley to go to a nightclub, but police smelt alcohol on his breath and he failed a roadside breath test. He was taken to custody where he was searched and officers found the blade.
Checks showed he had no insurance, and when breathalysed he gave a reading of 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – nearly twice the legal limit of 35.
Now Smith has been sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
Prosecutor Simon Dykes said he was seen riding a motorcycle in Stafford
Street, Hanley, at 1.35am on Saturday, August 7.
Mr Dykes said: “It was busy. Police went to speak to him. They could smell intoxicating liquor on his breath. He complied with a roadside breath test, which was positive.
“He was arrested for driving over the limit and transported to custody where he was searched. A flick knife was found in his trouser pocket. Checks found he had no valid insurance and his bike was seized.”
Smith, of The Grange, Cheadle, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without insurance and having a bladed article in public.
The court heard the defendant, who is a member of a biker group, was going for a drink.
Magistrates were told he drinks every day and that he felt fine to drive. The knife was in his pocket as he had used it earlier to do some work on the bike and he forgot it was there.
His insurance ran out a few days earlier and he had not realised it had expired.
He is no longer using drugs but does drink on a daily basis.
Mike Kimberley, mitigating, said Smith suffers with mental health issues.
He said: “He had been with some friends. He had a drink. He felt he was safe to drive.
“He decided to go through Hanley to see if a club was open.
“He knows he is going to be disqualified. He would welcome the help and support of the probation service.”
As part of the suspended sentence order, Smith must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days and a six-month alcohol treatment requirement.
He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £185 costs and a £128 surcharge.
His ban will be reduced by 19 weeks if he completes the drink-drivers’ rehabilitation course.
CHERRY ON TOP: Teamdogs have counted your votes and we can now reveal the winner of their Golden Oldie Award.
The amazing Cherry received the most likes on her submitted photo, and has been crowned Teamdogs’ third category winner in this week’s Dog Show. Rescue dog Cherry is eight years old and has taught herself how to care for her disabled owner, including alerting other family members to seizures.
Her incredible life-saving abilities have won her the Teamdogs Golden Oldie rosette and a gift box, as well as putting her forward for the overall category of Best in Show, which will be announced on Saturday. Teamdogs user Julie Barrett submitted Cherry into the competition, and said: “Cherry is an eight-yearold rescue dog who was previously a breeding bitch at a puppy farm. “She has overcome abuse, neglect, illness and extreme anxiety to become a happy lit#tlelodcoga. landproud “Her owner is disabled and Cherry alerts another family member if her owner has a seizure, falls or otherwise needs help (she barks/howls and runs to and fro from her owner to the other family member leading them to where help is needed). “This is something she has taught herself to do, she is amazing and very special.” We are in awe of Cherry and think it is a well-deserved win.
Hero dog Cherry joins Wagging Tail winner Ernie and Most Beautiful Eyes winner Lola in the Dog Show’s leaderboard.
The fun continues today, where your pups will be competing in Teamdogs Best Trick category.
To enter, you will need to share a video of your dog’s best trick on their Teamdogs Facebook page before 3pm.