"Ten seconds of stupidity": Illegal Castleford quad biker injured two officers as he tried to escape on new 'toy', court hears

An illegal quad bike rider who injured two police officers as he tried to get away in "10 seconds of absolute stupidity" has been spared jail.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Zak Terence Andrew McGuiness was caught by officers on the four-wheel bike filling up at the petrol station on Leyland Road in Castleford, and tried to get away, Leeds Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Mehran Nassiri said that officers spotted the bike pull into the station on July 18 last year, and after realising it was not road legal, called for back up from the police off-road motorbike team.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When they arrived, one of the officers rode up to McGuiness and stopped in front of him.

Leyland Service Station in Airedale.Leyland Service Station in Airedale.
Leyland Service Station in Airedale.

Caught on CCTV, the defendant was then seen riding into the officer, hitting him above the knee.

The officer then grabbed the arm of McGuiness as he became stuck between the bike and the quad.

They quad ended up riding round in a circle as the officer still had hold.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

McGuiness then ran off towards a parade of shops, jumping over a wall and into two police officers, catching one with his arm.

During interview he told the police his foot had slipped in the clutch when the first officer tried to stop him.

The 25-year-old bricklayer admitted assaulting the two officers and dangerous driving.

Mitigating, Kara Frith said that McGuiness, of Birkhill, Airedale, had bought the the quad two days prior for £1,000 with the purpose of driving it on the family's small holding.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She added: "It was a new 'toy' to him. He knew it was not road legal but was excited.

"He accepts full responsibility and was not thinking straight. He is fully aware of the seriousness of his actions."

She said that the reason why the quad began riding around in circles was that the officer had hold of the throttle on the handlebars.

Miss Frith added: "It was 10 seconds of absolute stupidity.

"He is incredibly remorseful. It was the joy of having a new 'toy'."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Judge Simon Batiste told McGuiness: "You were unbelievably stupid.

"You went to fill the quad up knowing it was not road usable. I'm satisfied the your remorse is genuine."

He jailed him for four months, suspended for 12 months, handed him 160 hours of unpaid work and a 12-month driving ban.

Judge Batiste added: "You have been fortunate. Make sure this does not happen again."