A CINDERFORD motorcyclist has been banned from riding for 18 months after he was caught driving dangerously in Gloucester last year.

Jamie Criddle reached speeds of 100mph after failing to stop for police, prosecutor Emily Evans told Gloucester Crown Court on Friday (September 1).

The police were patrolling the A40 at Over in an unmarked car on June 20 last year when a red Honda Hornet motorcycle overtook them,

Ms Evans said: “The officers noticed the motorcyclist was swerving in and out of cars and was travelling in excess of the 50mph speed limit.

‘‘It was also not displaying any L plates,” said the prosecutor.

“The police also observed that the motorcyclist paid little regard to other motorists at the roundabout.

“The police car illuminated its blue lights and indicated for the rider to stop.

“The motorcyclist failed to react to the request and after checking over his shoulder a couple of time the rider accelerated hard and reached speeds of 70mph.

“The police activated the sirens, to which the motorcyclist sped off at 90mph and going into a bend his knees nearly touched the road surface while compensating for the curvature of the road.

“The police continued the pursuit and witnessed the motorcyclist undertaking and overtaking vehicles.

“At one point the police officer had to brake hard to avoid hitting the motorcyclist as it weaved in front of them.

“The pursuit continued with the motorcyclist reaching speeds of 100mph, in a 50mph zone, and overtaking through solid double white lines, putting oncoming motorists in danger.

“The police viewed these manoeuvres as being very dangerous and called off the pursuit.

“Once the officers had returned to the police station, they carried out checks on the motorbike and discovered that it was owned by Jamie Criddle, now of of Upper Bilson Road, Cinderford, and that insurance had been taken out on the motorbike the day before.

“The police also discovered that when he was applying for insurance he had indicated that he had a full clean driving licence when in fact he only had a provisional licence with eight penalty points.

“In interview Criddle stated that the bike had been stolen and he was not the rider of the motorcycle on June 20, 2021.

“But when he was challenged about this he immediately admitted that he was the rider and explained that he had panicked when he saw the police car activate its blue lights.

“He went on to accept that his driving had also been dangerous.”

The court was told that the police chase lasted for about two minutes and was conducted over a distance of two-and-a-half miles.

Criddle was not formally represented but was assisted by solicitor Joe Maloney who told the court that Criddle’s legal aid application had been turned down, even though he only earns a modest wage working in a factory.

Mr Maloney said: “Criddle is a team leader at work and he is a young lad with the prospect of a bright future.

“I believe this incident has been a wakeup call for him. He is remorseful over his actions.”

Judge Ian Lawrie QC commented: “I find it astonishing that he has not been granted legal aid.

“Being as he is not formally legally represented I feel that a community order is more appropriate rather than a suspended prison sentence in the absence of formal legal representation.”

Criddle told the judge: “I have made some poor decisions in my life. I truly regret what I did. I wish I could turn back time, so that I would not be tempted to do this. Unfortunately I have to live with the consequences.

“I panicked because I was afraid of losing my job as I needed a bike to get to work. I did not want to lose my licence.”

Criddle pleaded guilty to driving dangerous on the A40 on June 20, 2021 and giving fraudulent information to an insurance company on June 19, 2021 in order to gain cover on a Honda Hornet motorbike.

Judge Lawrie told Criddle: “By the smallest of margins you have avoided a suspended prison sentence.

“The measurement of the stupidity of your actions should be equated to the risk of death.

“There is no excuse for you to embark on dangerous actions such as this.

“However I take the view we are all entitled to make one mistake in life and this was yours.

“You have shown there is a prospect of rehabilitation so I can impose a sentence in the community.”

The judge sentenced Criddle to a 12-month community order during which time he has to attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The judge also ordered Criddle to pay court costs of £425 and a victim surcharge of £95.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months and will have to take an extended test to regain his licence.