This is Staffordshire -- POLICE have condemned a 'dangerous' motorist who allowed a roller-skater to grab hold of his car and be pulled through a town centre at 30 mph. An officer recorded the incident on CCTV after travelling behind the Renault 5 car for around 43 yards (40 metres). The incident happened near the Nicholson War Memorial, in Leek, earlier this year. Now motorist Daniel Borthwick may be hit with a driving ban after being convicted of driving without due care and attention by magistrates. Following the case, PC Mark Warrilow said: "This was very reckless and dangerous behaviour which could have easily caused serious injuries. Not only was the safety of the skater put at risk but also that of the general public as this was on a road in the town centre. "This should act as a warning that behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated and positive action will be taken against anyone caught disregarding the rules of the road." Cannock Magistrates' Court heard 22-year-old Borthwick was spotted by PC Warrilow at temporary traffic lights in Fountain Street, Leek, with a roller-skater hanging on to the side of the car. PC Warrilow told the court: "There was a Renault 5 at the bottom of Fountain Street and I was sat directly behind. I saw the driver speaking through the open window. The other male was on roller-skates. After a short time the traffic lights changed from red to green and the car pulled off. As he did, the young male on roller-skates took hold of the car on the driver's side door and was pulled along. "As we went through the traffic lights the car appeared to speed up. It continued to go along Haywood Street for about 40-metres before the young man let go of the car. He skated onto the pedestrian area and I didn't see him again. The car was driving quite slowly initially, going up to 30mph, if not more. There were no signs of slowing down, pressing the brakes or attempting to stop." Borthwick, of Mill Street, Leek, told magistrates that he was bullied into allowing the roller-skater to hang onto the side of his car. Borthwick said: "In the past he has been a bully to me and to my friend who was in the car with me. "Every time he sees me he comes up asking for cigarettes, drink or money, anything I have in the car. I was frightened of him at the time." Borthwick told magistrates that he allowed the roller-skater to keep hanging onto his car because he did not think it was safe to stop. He added: "I wouldn't risk my licence for a village idiot." Magistrates fined Borthwick £120 and told him to pay £150 costs. He was also handed three points on his licence – to add to four points already in place for a previous offence. It means Borthwick must wait to see if he will be banned for accumulating more than six points at such a young age.
Reported by This is 4 hours ago.
This is Staffordshire -- POLICE have condemned a 'dangerous' motorist who allowed a roller-skater to grab hold of his car and be pulled through a town centre at 30 mph. An officer recorded the incident on CCTV after travelling behind the Renault 5 car for around 43 yards (40 metres). The incident happened near the Nicholson War Memorial, in Leek, earlier this year. Now motorist Daniel Borthwick may be hit with a driving ban after being convicted of driving without due care and attention by magistrates. Following the case, PC Mark Warrilow said: "This was very reckless and dangerous behaviour which could have easily caused serious injuries. Not only was the safety of the skater put at risk but also that of the general public as this was on a road in the town centre. "This should act as a warning that behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated and positive action will be taken against anyone caught disregarding the rules of the road." Cannock Magistrates' Court heard 22-year-old Borthwick was spotted by PC Warrilow at temporary traffic lights in Fountain Street, Leek, with a roller-skater hanging on to the side of the car. PC Warrilow told the court: "There was a Renault 5 at the bottom of Fountain Street and I was sat directly behind. I saw the driver speaking through the open window. The other male was on roller-skates. After a short time the traffic lights changed from red to green and the car pulled off. As he did, the young male on roller-skates took hold of the car on the driver's side door and was pulled along. "As we went through the traffic lights the car appeared to speed up. It continued to go along Haywood Street for about 40-metres before the young man let go of the car. He skated onto the pedestrian area and I didn't see him again. The car was driving quite slowly initially, going up to 30mph, if not more. There were no signs of slowing down, pressing the brakes or attempting to stop." Borthwick, of Mill Street, Leek, told magistrates that he was bullied into allowing the roller-skater to hang onto the side of his car. Borthwick said: "In the past he has been a bully to me and to my friend who was in the car with me. "Every time he sees me he comes up asking for cigarettes, drink or money, anything I have in the car. I was frightened of him at the time." Borthwick told magistrates that he allowed the roller-skater to keep hanging onto his car because he did not think it was safe to stop. He added: "I wouldn't risk my licence for a village idiot." Magistrates fined Borthwick £120 and told him to pay £150 costs. He was also handed three points on his licence – to add to four points already in place for a previous offence. It means Borthwick must wait to see if he will be banned for accumulating more than six points at such a young age.
Reported by This is 4 hours ago.