Norfolk Motorcyclist Gave Police Cock and Bull Story

A Norfolk motorcyclist gave police a cock and bull story when he was pulled over for having an obscured number plate.

Reece Grint, 23, formerly of Ormesby Saint Margaret, Great Yarmouth, but now living in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 24th December 2024.

He admitted offences of obstructing a police constable, possession of cannabis, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without third party insurance and driving a vehicle with an obscured registration mark.

Magistrates heard that officers spotted Grint zipping along on his KTM 125 motorcycle on the A11 on Wednesday, 17th July 2024. The officers followed the motorcycle, which had an obscured number plate, until it pulled in at Wymondham railway station.

Qamar Iqbal, prosecuting, told the court that Grint provided false details to the officers, who clearly had a distinct lack of curiosity about his real identity, before he wandered off to board a train.

Such was his hurry to catch the train that the 23-year-old left behind his bag, which was found to contain 11 grams of cannabis.

Grint later contacted the police to ask for his bag back. He was invited in for a chat about its contents.

Alison Armstrong, mitigating, told the court that her client had been in a hurry to catch the train because he was heading for a job interview in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

After confirming that he was not under arrest, Grint went to board the train and mistakenly left his bag behind.

Ms Armstrong told the court that her client had previously been disqualified and had reapplied for a provisional licence. He was not sure if he was able to ride in the meantime, but apparently decided he was going to anyway.

Having considered the totality of offences Magistrates decided to fine Grint £673.

He was also ordered to pay £269 surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

Grint's licence was endorsed with 6 penalty points.

This case just goes to show that it is often the little things that lead police to detect more serious offences.

I mean I doubt the officers on the day realised they were pursuing a criminal mastermind.