A man who took a 10-year-old boy on an off-road motorbike with no lights has avoided jail for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Crash details
Peter Greenhalgh, 45, of Washington, was riding his newly acquired Stomp 160cc bike on public roads in the dark on January 26, 2023, despite it being only designed for off-road use. The bike had no lights and the pair were wearing dark clothing, making them invisible to other road users.
While speeding between traffic calming humps on The Drive, Greenhalgh collided with a Ford Fiesta driven by a woman who was turning right. The boy, who was riding pillion, suffered a broken femur and was heard screaming in pain, saying: "I didn't even want to get on the bike."
Court proceedings
Greenhalgh, who identifies as a "freeman of the land," spent three years on the run after failing to attend court in June 2023. A warrant for his arrest was executed in July this year.
At Newcastle Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, having no insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He was sentenced to 25 months suspended for two years, with 250 hours unpaid work, a two-year driving ban, and ordered to pay £500 compensation to the Fiesta driver.
Judge's remarks
Judge Carolyn Scott told Greenhalgh: "It's really good luck the injuries were not more serious and other people were not injured by your actions that evening. You were driving at significantly in excess of the speed limit in a manner inappropriate for the conditions on a bike which was not designed for the highway."
Greenhalgh, who was representing himself, acknowledged the "stupidity" of putting the boy on the bike but denied he ended up trapped underneath it. He said he feels guilt every day and takes responsibility.
