Ballymena man fell off motorbike after police car pursued him along footpaths in public park
A motorcyclist made off at speed from a police car which pursued him along footpaths in Sentry Hill public park in Ballymena where he fell off, a court has heard.
The 54-year-old was sentenced on charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, failing to provide an evidential specimen and absence of a driving licence.
Before the court was John Thompson, whose address was listed as Lanntara in Ballymena.
A prosecutor told Ballymena Magistrates' Court that around midnight on March 7 this year a police patrol spotted a motorbike "weaving" at Grove Road.
They activated lights and sirens for the motorbike to stop but the defendant did a U-turn at Grove Heights and made off at speed.
Police pursued along Grove Road, Old Ballymoney Road and Circular Road. The speed was estimated at 70mph in a 30mph zone.
At Circular Road the motorbike turned left onto a footpath at Sentry Hill with police "in pursuit".
The defendant tried to turn left on a path but he lost control and topped from the motorbike.
"At that stage police are able to alight from the vehicle and detain him," said a prosecutor.
The defendant was unsteady on his feet and "appeared to be incoherent".
A defence barrister said it was accepted it was "a bad piece of driving".
He said the motorbike had been left at the defendant's property by a friend and Thompson had used it to go to a "24-hour garage and buy some milk".
He "panicked" when he saw police "and then tried to make off".
The lawyer said the defendant passed a preliminary breath test and then felt he did not need to provide the evidential sample.
The court heard that due to medical issues the defendant was unable to do a Community Order.
Thompson, who had a record, was given a four months prison term, suspended for 18 months; was banned from driving for 18 months; and was fined £200.