A teenager riding a motorised cycle without a helmet collided with a police officer who was signalling for him to stop as he approached a town centre underpass.

Durham Crown Court heard that the constable drew a Taser and identified himself as a police officer as Jacob Wright approached on the ebike, which was not displaying a number plate, on Kendrew Street, Darlington, on April 10.

Caroline McGurk, prosecuting, said Wright briefly slowed down and appeared to acknowledge the officer, but then accelerated and rode straight at him.

The officer went to ground as he tried to stop the defendant.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

He sustained a bloodied chin due to the impact and a struggle followed, but the defendant was detained as colleagues of the officer arrived on scene.

Miss McGurk said the officer had received information prior to the collision that the defendant was riding on the motorised machine without a helmet.

In his victim statement, read to the court, the injured officer said he has been assaulted a number of times in his 15-year police career, but it was the first time someone had deliberately driven a vehicle at him.

He said the defendant, “had every opportunity” to stop riding, instead of heading straight into him in a bid to escape.

The officer said he was taken “slightly by surprise” that the defendant did ride into him, and then he was throwing his elbows at him, despite being told to stop.

At the time of writing the statement he said he still suffered with pain in both shins due to the cuts and grazes suffered on the impact, as well as pain to the right thigh and ribs.

The 19-year-old defendant, of North Road, Darlington, admitted charges of dangerous driving, assault causing actual bodily harm, failure to stop for police, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He also admitted possessing crack cocaine, relating to a small amount of the Class A drug found in his pocket upon arrest.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Helen Towers, for Wright, said he made those admissions at a magistrates’ hearing the day after the incident on the basis he was unaware he was prohibited from using that vehicle by way of his driving ban, and that he did not see the officer ahead until it was too late to avoid him.

The court heard Wright has six convictions for 16 offences, several for motoring crimes, including aggravated vehicle taking and driving while over the limit for drugs.

His most recent conviction was said to be relating to illegal dog breeding and selling.

Miss Towers said the defendant has been on a qualifying overnight home curfew for 116 days since his arrest after the incident.

She said the defendant, although aged 19, is assessed as having only the maturity level of a 16-year-old and suffers with ADHD, personality disorder, anxiety and depression.

He is meeting medical professionals, trying to find the right level of medication to deal with those difficulties, “without overloading him”.

Miss Towers said he would benefit “greatly” from the assistance of the Probation Service.

She said he has expressed remorse over the incident and he had not realised riding a motorised bike would count as it does, in law.

“He’s described as ‘easily led and vulnerable’, but he has a supportive family network.”

She added that despite his learning limitations he has earned a qualification as a tree surgeon and has pledged that he does not want to trouble the courts again.

Judge Nathan Adams told the defendant he would not be imposing an immediate prison sentence, but he warned him he is, “at a crossroads”, and must work with Probation Service as ordered, or risk activation of the suspended sentence.

Judge Adams said he accepted the defendant may have been unaware of regulations relating to motorised bikes, but he said he used it on the pavement, without a helmet and rode recklessly.

He said it was “fortunate” that the officer he rode at suffered relatively minor injuries, only trying to perform his public duty.

Imposing a 14-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, Judge Adams ordered that the defendant should take part in 20 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service.

He also banned him from driving for a further two years.

As a parting shot, the judge told Wright this should be seen as a “final chance”, reminding him how close he had come to going immediately into custody.