South Yorkshire man who deliberately drove at police with stolen quad bike jailed

Adam Oaks, of Finlay Road, Rotherham was driving around Smithy Wood Road area, a hot spot area and regular ride through route when officers from Off Road Bike intervention Team (ORBiT) were on proactive patrols on November 24, 2019

As Oakes approached the officers, they illuminated their blue lights and signalled for him to stop, but he refused and sped off.

Another member of the team was alerted to Oakes’ route and got off his bike in order to block his path and speak to him, however this did not stop him as he drove deliberately at the officer.

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Thankfully, he managed to get clear and avoid any collision, which saved him from injury.

PC Jamie Walker explains more about what happened next, he said: “Once I knew my colleague PC Palmer was okay, I continued to follow Oakes who was desperate to escape from us.

“I caught up to him and he attempted to ride up a bank, but failed to do so and started to drive towards me. I shouted for him to stop and with my Taser drawn he complied and got off his quad.

“He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and other motoring offences and later charged.

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“The quad bike did not belong to Oakes and was seized due to being suspected to be stolen, due to the number plate being taped up and Oakes not being the owner.”

PC Walker added: “Oakes showed no consideration for anyone while riding his quad. There is a worrying trend where the riders of these vehicles are being extremely aggressive and using their vehicles as weapons driving deliberately at people.

“We are officers but we are also human, we have families and loved ones and deserve to go home at the end of our shift uninjured.”

Oakes pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving and was sentenced on March 4 at Sheffield Crown Court to four months in prison and disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay fees of £122.

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