A motorcyclist who failed to stop for police in Swindon has been given a 12 month disqualification.
Sophie Jackson, 18, of Argyle Street, Swindon, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop for police and was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, and given a 12 month driving disqualification when she appeared in court yesterday.
On 23rd July 2022, officers attended the Rivermead Trading Estate following a report that a large number of vehicles were at the location causing a disturbance.
Two motorcyclists were reported to have left the location shortly before 11pm – one of these riders was Jackson. She appeared to have removed the number plate from the vehicle she was riding.
When an officer attempted to stop Jackson, she failed to stop and a pursuit continued through Swindon, with Jackson riding at excess speed, riding the wrong way around Blagrove roundabout and overtaking into the path of oncoming traffic before coming to an enforced stop.
She was reported to court for dangerous driving and failing to stop and as well as the suspended sentence and disqualification, she was ordered to pay a £156 victim surcharge, £85 costs and ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
PC Jay Clifton, of the Roads Policing Unit, said, “This incident occurred following a very large car meet in Swindon. The manner in which Jackson rode her motorbike through Swindon was well below the standard you would expect of a competent motorcyclist and I am pleased she has been given a disqualification.
“As part of our work under Operation Staysail, we continue to target individuals who participate in disruptive car meets, which can cause disruption to a community and can carry considerable risks to road users. We will proactively patrol incidents of this nature and will use all evidence available to us to ensure offenders like Jackson are put before the courts.”
