Magistrates heard that a Runcorn e-biker "lost his head" when a car passenger started filming the manner of his riding.
Ethan Horton, 23, of Riley Drive, Runcorn, admitted an offence of criminal damage when he appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 30th April 2024.
Criminal damage is an offence under section 1(1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971. Criminal damage below £5,000 is a summary offence, with a maximum penalty of 3 months' custody and/or a fine at level 4. We have previously written a guide to the offence of criminal damage, which some readers may find of interest.
Horton had previously been offered an out of court resolution, but had failed to abide by its conditions.
Magistrates heard that Horton was riding his e-bike in Frodsham, Cheshire, when a Volkswagen Tiguan drove by and a passenger took an interest in his riding.
Noticing that Horton was not wearing a helmet, the passenger began recording his actions. Horton approached the vehicle, which was by now stationary, to see what the issue was.
Lisa Maguire, prosecuting, told the court that Horton called the passenger "a grass" and unsuccessfully attempted to spit at them through the closed window.
He tried to open the passenger side door and kicked off the wing mirror. He then moved to the back of the car and damaged a wiper on the rear windscreen, before taking hold of the roof rack (aff. link) and rocking the vehicle.
Horton was said to circle the vehicle several times, before it was able to drive away from the scene.
The court heard that £1,282.20 of damage was caused to the Tiguan during the incident. The driver, who accused Horton of acting in an "intimidating and threatening manner", was left "shaking and crying" after the incident and has been nervous around bikers ever since.
Steve Coupe, mitigating, said that his client had "lost his head", when challenged about the manner of his riding.
He said that as his client was riding an e-bike (aff. link) there had been no requirement for a helmet, but conceded that he had been riding "excitedly".
Horton denied attempting to spit at the passenger, but recognised his behaviour had been "unacceptable".
Horton said that the out of court resolution had been overlooked when he went travelling for six months with his partner. He had asked him mother to sort it out, but there had been a breakdown in communications.
Magistrates fined him £120 and ordered him to pay £34 surcharge, £120 towards prosecution costs and £400 in compensation.
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