Crime Solicitors

A group of nine men have appeared in court in Birmingham accused of taking part in an illegal ‘ride out’.

Six of the men pleaded not guilty to a public nuisance charge at Birmingham Crown Court. Two stated they were not guilty at an earlier hearing. All were given unconditional bail. One other suspect appeared in court on Friday but has not given his plea and still remains in custody.

West Midland Police originally had 30 suspects for this lawless ‘ride out event’. The group of suspects was aged between 20-33 year olds. They were all charged with causing public nuisance, an offence which carries a significant prison sentence.

The occurrence which occurred in June supposedly saw off road bikers run amok on the roads of Solihull and Birmingham during a ‘five hour rampage’ as described by West Midlands Police. The bikers were claimed to have been ‘riding recklessly, pulling stunts and intimidating other road users’ including performing reckless stunts such as wheelies and donuts without wearing helmets across one side of a busy dual carriageway. Some of the drivers were also aiming to taunt the police before speeding off before the officer could reach them.

Other events have also occurred including the ‘Halloween Ride Out’ which included over 200 riders. The events have also occurred in London where riders wore masked and began to pull stunts along Oxford Street and throughout the Capital pulling stunts on the pavements and forcing tourists and shoppers to dive for cover.

West Midlands Police have arrested a total of 53 people including those charged on suspicion of being involved in illegal ride out events.
The trail is due to begin in August in Birmingham Crown Court.

Neil Sargeant, Motor Law specialist at Duncan Lewis, states:

“Public “ride-outs” not only act as a nuisance and inconvenience to the public but in some circumstances can also present a genuine danger to other road users. The manner of driving exhibited during such activity is often of a reduced standard and in some cases, could amount to either careless or dangerous driving- the latter carrying severe penalties.

The flagrant disregard of road safety and other road users puts pedestrians‘ safety at risk and the police should consider bringing charges that fall outside of the “public nuisance” umbrella that may be more appropriate and proportionate to the offence/risk posed to the public.”

Neil Sargeant is a Road Traffic specialist within the Duncan Lewis Crime Department, based in Harrow. For specialist advice please call Neil on 020 3114 1145 or email him on neils@duncanlewis.com.

Neil has specialised in Road Traffic Law since 2008, establishing close working relationships with some of the country’s leading experts in this field and maintaining an outstanding record of client acquittals. His specialist expertise stretches across all road traffic law, but is most extensive in:

• Drink Driving (with breath, blood or urine samples);
• Drug Driving;
• Failing to provide a specimen for analysis whether this be breath, blood or urine;
• Being drunk in charge of a vehicle;
• Any type of road traffic case that involves a procedure conducted at hospital;
• Dangerous & Careless driving; and
• Cases involving a fatality.

Duncan Lewis Motor Law Solicitors

Recognised by the independent directory Chambers & Partners as a top tier criminal defence practice, Duncan Lewis’ Crime department has a wide selection of services with a highly skilled team of solicitors. Our services include Motoring Law, with particular expertise in drug and alcohol-related motoring offences. We can provide free and comprehensive legal advice on any motoring prosecution, regardless of the allegations.

It is crucial that you seek legal advice immediately, as an early opinion in your case can make a significant difference to the end result. Duncan Lewis Solicitors can be on hand to deal with whatever motoring law issue you may have.