Halloween 'Ride Out' biker who was already banned from driving given suspended jail term
A biker who was part of a gang which caused havoc on Halloween has avoided being sent straight to jail.
Unemployed Declan Merritt, from Blakenhale Road in Stechford, was caught at 9.45pm on 31 October on board a Yamaha scrambler in Lawley Middleway near Duddeston just six days after a court banned him from driving.
Officers stepped in after seeing the 25-year-old ramp his bike onto the central reservation – and he was detained following a brief foot chase.
Merritt admitted driving while disqualified and at Birmingham Magistrates Court and was given a nine-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.
He was also banned from driving for six months, told to pay £245 in court costs, and must cooperate with a year-long supervision order.
Police say other people are also facing court appearances for their alleged part in the night.
A police spokesman said: "Anyone who thinks it's OK to behave like this on our roads needs to heed this court outcome and understand that if they do get involved they run the risk of being taken to court and potentially being handed hefty fines or even jailed."
