Minibike Yobs sentenced/UK

[PeteSC]

Asbos for mini-bike trio who terrorised estate
Published on 01/11/2005

 THREE teenage yobs who terrorised a Whitehaven estate with their dangerous mini-motorbike riding and abusive behaviour have been made the subject of two-year antisocial behaviour orders.

Boy racers Peter Robert Tyson, 17, and brothers Stephen Smith, 19, and Kevin Smith, 17, from Whitehaven, were the three worst offenders for mini-moto offences on the Greenbank Estate – continuing to ride miniature bikes even after their own vehicles were confiscated by police.

Officers hope yesterday’s asbos, brought by Copeland Homes and granted by Whitehaven magistrates, will serve as an example to other illegal mini-moto riders.

Acting Sergeant Dan St Quintin said after the hearing that police had received 116 complaints between January and June, about youths causing trouble or riding dangerously on mini-motos, motorbikes and quad bikes, in Whitehaven.

Forty-eight of those complaints came from the Greenbank estate, where Tyson and Kevin Smith, who live on Bowness Road, and Stephen Smith, of Foundry Road, Parton, were identified as the “most prolific and persistent offenders.”

Copeland Homes took action following a catalogue of complaints about their behaviour from people who said they were making life hell for residents by riding their noisy mini-motos around the estate.

Interim orders were made against the trio in June and magistrates yesterday made those full orders, to run until October 30, 2007.

It means that the youths are banned from riding mechanically-propelled vehicles in a matter that does not comply with traffic regulations, and behaving, or encouraging others to behave, in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others.

Prosecutor Andrew Pearson said the asbos were necessary to protect residents from their behaviour. The three were warned that if they breached their orders they could be imprisoned or fined, or both.

Neil Pilling, defending, said that the teenagers were not other only ones riding mini-motos around Greenbank, and that they no longer have their own bikes.

Acting Sgt St Quintin said that residents had been terrified by their antics, which involved them riding on the pavements, almost running into people, and riding so low down in the road that motorists could not see them. Residents were also distressed by the “horrific noise” of the vehicles, and by the lads’ abusive behaviour when they were challenged.

He said: “They were a danger to themselves and a danger to others.

“Since the interim order was made members of the Greenbank community have been able to relax and enjoy their private lives.”