Biker Jailed Over Dangerous Driving In Birmingham

24 October 2016, 06:12 | Updated: 24 October 2016, 06:13

A reckless scrambler bike rider who pulled wheelies while speeding through the streets of a housing estate in Birmingham has been jailed for dangerous driving.

Fabrice Tirant did U-turns in the middle of the street, weaved and darted between other law-abiding car drivers and even zipped through a children's play area during a 20-minute spree of illegal Sunday riding.

He cut across a traffic island and several times took to the pavements, narrowly avoiding a cyclist and pedestrians - prompting members of the public to ring 999.

A West Midlands Police helicopter was deployed and filmed his poor driving from 2,000ft (609m), directing officers on the ground in Birmingham to arrest him in Fordfield Road, in the Lea Village area of the city, on February 28.

He was found to have been riding on a provisional licence without insurance, while his bike had no lights, no working indicators and was not displaying a registration plate.

Tirant, of Sheldon Heath Road in Sheldon, Birmingham, was jailed for eight months at Birmingham Crown Court on October 17, after admitting dangerous driving.

After sentencing, Sergeant Dave Lilwall said: ``His riding was reckless... he put members of the public at risk.

``He was observed riding dangerously along residential streets, at speeds clearly faster than the traffic around him, under and overtaking vehicles at speed, pulling wheelies and tearing across parkland.

``The helicopter footage shows Tirant passing several pedestrians, some of whom had to take evasive action to avoid being hit.

``This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable: anyone who rides off-road bikes illegally on our streets can expect to have the bike seized and be prosecuted.''

The force is currently running a region-wide crack-down on illegal and anti-social off-road bike riding.