County Durham biker led cops wrong way around roundabouts in police pursuit
By: -----
Bishop Auckland, UK - A dangerous teen biker led police the wrong way around roundabouts and sped along pavements as he tried to evade arrest.
John Ashley Bentley sped through the streets of Bishop Auckland without a helmet on an orange motorbike. Bentley thought he had escaped officers on the ground when he took a farm track, not realizing that a police helicopter was watching from above.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter directed officers to Bentley, with one officer helping to detain him and another suspect after the aircraft landed.
Bentley, 18, of St Helen Auckland, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving and having no licence or insurance at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on Friday, March 14. He was given an interim driving disqualification and will be sentenced at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on April 10.
A pillion passenger, who cannot be named due to his age, was charged with aiding a dangerous driver, assaulting an emergency worker and driving with no licence or insurance. The teenager is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on April 11.
PC Simpson said: "Time and again we see riders who think they are untouchable when they blight our community with their selfish, dangerous driving. In this case, both occupants of the bike have found themselves being prosecuted, and the tactics used in this pursuit are an example of the lengths we will go to deny criminals use of the road network.
"We also hope it will reassure the genuine bikers that motorcycle-related crime is a priority for us here in Durham."
Sergeant Phil Emmerson, NPAS regional operations manager, added: "Our crews have a unique overview of situations, from the air. In this instance, the officer in the crew was able to act quickly and decisively to ensure the suspect was detained and reduce any further risk to himself or members of the public.