A DANGEROUS driver was prosecuted for riding an e-scooter just weeks after he was bitten by police dog and his BMW broke down during a 90mph police chase.
Bolton Crown Court heard how 34-year-old Kyle Lowthian was spotted using the Qings Wing electric scooter, which he claimed to have bought for his son's birthday, by a police officer on Outwood Road, Radcliffe at 11.10pm on November 18 last year.
Legally e-scooters are treated the same as motor vehicles and so can only be used in public if the user holds a licence and is insured.
Verity Quaite, prosecuting, told the court how Lowthian was stationary, at traffic lights at the junction with Pilkington Way.
Lowthian moved onto the pavement and told the officer he had a licence and gave a false name and address but, after arrest, gave his real identity and cannabis was found on him.
At the time Lowthian was already banned from driving following a police chase on August 9 last year.
Lowthian had no licence after being disqualified due to the number of penalty points he had accumulated but still bought a BMW for £750.
Miss Quaite told how police spotted the car speeding on Longcauseway, Farnworth at 3.36am but Lowthian refused to stop.
"A four minute pursuit the ensued," said Miss Quaite, who added that Lowthian headed through a red light and then reached speeds of up to 95mph in a 30mph zone on Bolton Road.
After turning onto Slackey Brow and Hulme Road towards Ringley he went the wrong way round a roundabout.
But as Lowthian headed up a hill at 75mph smoke came from his car.
"As he proceeded up the hill he appeared to be unable to accelerate," said Miss Quaite.
Lowthian leapt from the car and ran off, but did not put the handbrake on and the vehicle rolled back into the police car.
"The defendant made off into nearby woodland and both a helicopter and police dog were deployed," said Miss Quaite.
"It took some considerable time to find him. He was ultimately arrested at 5.07am. He was taken to hospital for treatment to the dog bite he sustained when he was being detained."
Lowthian. of Mather Street, Radcliffe, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no licence or insurance, driving whilst banned and possessing cannabis.
Nicola Carroll, defending, said: "He acknowledges that there was clearly a risk serious harm to members of the public by driving in the manner he did."
The court heard that Lowthian has previous convictions for driving whilst banned but Miss Carroll stated that he is now changing his life after claiming to have freed himself of drugs.
Judge Timothy Stead sentenced him to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years during which he will have to participate in a thinking skills programme and three days of rehabilitation activities. He is also banned from applying for a driving licence for three years after which he will have to take an extended test.
The BMW and e-scooter were forfeited.
The judge told Lowthian: "You have got children. I am told you care about them - I'm sure you do - but if you are to give them a chance in life and give yourself a chance to stay out of prison, you are going to have to knuckle down."
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