Owen Pendree, a 32-year-old from Newport, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being caught performing wheelies on a Sur-Ron e-bike through busy city streets and then throwing the vehicle off a bridge as police closed in. The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 30, on Corporation Road, one of Newport's busiest roads.
Police Helicopter Tracks Reckless Rider
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter crew, working in partnership with Gwent Police, observed Pendree driving like a "lunatic" and pulling wheelies. Using intelligence from the helicopter, road policing officers deployed a stinger device. Following a short pursuit, Pendree was stopped and arrested on the bridge near Clarence Place, where he had thrown the e-bike into the river.
Pendree, who was disqualified from driving at the time, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and using a motor vehicle without insurance at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 1.
Sentence and Driving Ban
In addition to the 12-month prison sentence, Pendree was disqualified from driving for three and a half years. He will need to pass an extended driving test before he can regain his licence.
PC Nathan Ford, the officer in the case, said: “Teamwork between our officers and NPAS ensured our resources were in the correct place to apprehend Pendree swiftly after we had worked together to identify his dangerous driving. The video evidence gathered showed clearly that Pendree was pulling wheelies and driving dangerously; he had little option but to plead guilty to the charges he faced in court. Pendree did not possess a valid licence nor the appropriate insurance. We welcome this sentence; it shows that dangerous drivers will be put before the courts and face justice. Our officers will continue to take appropriate action and use a range of tactics to apprehend people like Pendree who flout the law and drive these machines in a manner that puts themselves and other roads at risk of harm.”
Reporting Concerns
Gwent Police encourages anyone with concerns about the illegal use of e-bikes and off-road bikes in their area to report it on 101. In an emergency, dial 999.
