Drugged-up motorbike rider’s “crazy episode” on one-way street

A Doncaster teen who rode the wrong way down a one-way street on a stolen motorbike while high on drugs involved himself in a “crazy episode”, Sheffield Crown Court has heard.
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Owen Docherty attracted the attention of police at a junction on South Parade on March 16 because his number plate was covered with tape, prosecutor Brian Outhwaite said.

He went through a "no-entry" sign on one-way Royston Avenue at around 35mph, before riding between bollards so the police car couldn't follow.

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He was seen throwing a motorbike helmet over a fence, and arrested with a small amount of cannabis on him, and twice the specified drug limit in his bloodstream.

Royston Avenue, Doncaster. Picture: Google.Royston Avenue, Doncaster. Picture: Google.
Royston Avenue, Doncaster. Picture: Google.

The bike was stolen from the Selby area, but Docherty claimed he found it near Lakeside.

Richard Adams, mitigating, said Docherty had no previous convictions and had been employed in the hotel industry but was recently made redundant.

"He fully appreciates the gravity of the court's powers," he said.

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Docherty, aged 19, of Chequer Road, Doncaster, pleaded guilty to driving without a licence or insurance, while over the specified drug limit, dangerous driving, and handling stolen goods, at Doncaster Magistrates Court on September 10.

Recorder Benjamin Nolan QC imposed a two-year community order, with ten days of rehabilitation and 120 hours of unpaid work to be performed as soon as it is safe to do so.

He told Docherty: "This was a crazy episode on your part. I don't know why you did it but you did."

Docherty's driving licence was endorsed and he was disqualified for two years.

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He will have to take an extended driving test before he can drive again.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

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