JAIL FOR TEENAGE MOPED RIDE WHO SPED ACROSS PAVEMENTS IN POLICE CHASE

A moped rider who risked the lives of pedestrians during high speed police chase in a busy shopping area has been jailed for six months.

The 17-year-old careered across the pavement and jumped red lights during the 50mph pursuit in the busy Upper Street on a Saturday afternoon.

At one stage he took a blind corner at speed on the pavement, and a bus was forced to make an emergency stop after the moped veered into oncoming traffic.

He also undertook a car stopping to allow pedestrians to cross the street, forcing frightened shoppers to run for their lives, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

The chase only ended when the inexperienced rider fell off his bike, the court heard.

But the youth, who cannot be named because of his age, finished the chase by destroying the arresting officer’s £350 motorcycle helmet.

Paul Evans, prosecuting, said two police officers had been concerned after noticing the moped on the canal bridge by Caledonian Road just after 4pm on Saturday 19 March.

The bike, which was being ridden by the youth and carrying a pillion passenger, had its number plate hanging by a single screw and was speeding.

But the bike shot off when they signaled for it to stop.

‘What followed was a two to three mile pursuit at relatively high speeds in the back streets of Islington, Mr Evans said.

Pedestrians had to leap out of the way as the bike raced through three sets of red lights.

‘There was one particular point where the moped mounted the pavement and cut a blind corner leading onto Caledonian Road,’ Mr Evans said.

‘Thankfully, no pedestrians were struck by the moped, but that’s more through luck than anything else.’

The chase ended after two or three miles at a traffic light by Upper Street, where the youth lost control and fell off.

His pillion passenger dashed off and had never been caught, but the rider was held down, after which he became increasingly aggressive, the court heard.

He lashed out at officers, and one of his kicks connected with arresting officer PC Andrew Hill’s motorcycle helmet, sending it flying across the road where it was smashed.

A smartphone was found on the teenager during the search, which it emerged had been snatched by the pair from a pedestrian minutes before the chase.

Police also found that the moped was stolen, and was being driven with a license plate belong to another vehicle.

The youth, who is from Islington, admitted driving the moped without a license or insurance, dangerous driving and failing to stop when requested by a uniformed police officer.

He also admitted theft of a mobile phone and damage to PC Andrew Hill’s helmet.

He denied theft of the moped and theft of the license plate, both of which were withdrawn by the court.

The youth has a number of past convictions, including an attempted smash and grab on a motorcycle in December 2010, and previous driving offences.

Judge Timothy King told him: ‘It is a mercy that as a result of your wanton and dangerous driving on this particular occasion that no one was killed, let alone yourself or your pillion passenger..

‘If anyone had been killed by your dangerous driving, you would be going to prison for a term measured in years.’

He handed the teenager a six month detention and training order for both his dangerous driving and the theft of the mobile, to be served concurrently.

No separate penalty was given for the other charges.

The teen was also disqualified from driving for two years, and will also have to take an extended driving test before he is allowed a license.

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