Motorcyclist with no insurance banned and fined

Feb 3 2011 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A MOTORCYCLIST who had no insurance sped off from police when they tried to stop him.

John Forsyth took his bike out for an early morning spin after his usual lift to work let him down.

Police in an unmarked car spotted the 27-year-old travelling well over the 40mph speed limit on Deans Road in Livingston shortly before 5am on August 4 last year.

Livingston Sheriff Court heard the officers started following Forsyth but struggled to keep him in view because of the speed he was doing.

After he failed to give way at a roundabout the officers put on their blue flashing light to get Forsyth to stop but instead he raced off and drove through a red light at Appleton Parkway.

Forsyth then abandoned the motorbike on a pathway and made off on foot but was later found hiding in bushes nearby.

During a police interview he told officers he hadn’t stopped as he was trying to do a “runner”.

Forsyth, whose address was Cornfield Place, Livingston, pled guilty to driving without due care and attention, driving grossly in excess of the speed limit and for the conditions and failing to stop for police officers and a red traffic light.

The 27-year-old also admitted driving without insurance.

Forsyth’s solicitor, Glenn Fraser, told the court it was the first time his client had driven the motorcycle.

Mr Fraser added: “The motorbike was his and he got a loan to pay for it. He had been doing the bike up for sometime but it had been off the road. It was not insured and it wasn’t being driven.

“He was working shifts and his normal arrangement had let him down this day.

“He was coming home from at a local distribution centre and at the time he though this was the only way of getting there and back.

“When his lift let him down that day the motorcycle was on hand and temptation was too much.

“On this occasion he made the wrong decision as he didn’t want to lose his job.

Forsyth, whose motorbike was crushed by police, was fined £290 and banned for six months.