Thief badly injured in stolen motorbike crash

A man who was badly injured when he crashed a stolen motorbike while travelling at least twice the speed limit has narrowly avoided being locked up.
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Jamie Ashcroft, 20, of Briar Grove, Leigh, had already appeared before Wigan and Leigh magistrates to plead guilty to driving a Kawasaki EX650 dangerously.

He had also admitted to doing so without insurance or a licence and without the owner’s consent.

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Now before a Bolton Crown Court judge, he has been sentenced to 15 months in prison but the sentence was suspended for two years.

Bolton Crown CourtBolton Crown Court
Bolton Crown Court

The court heard that on Friday November 15 2019 at just before 1pm, Ashcroft was riding a stolen green Kawasaki ER6F on Wigan Road in Leigh at speed.

He was said to have been travelling at at least 60mph in a 30mph limited zone and was also on the wrong side of the road when he was in collision with the side of a white Audi A3 car as it turned right in front of him.

The hearing was told that Ashcroft suffered serious injuries and received extensive treatment at Salford Royal Hospital.

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He had not had a licence to ride the bike, which had been stolen from outside an address on Old Manor Park, Atherton, the previous day, the court heard.

As well as the suspended jail sentence, Ashcroft was ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities plus.

The judge also imposed a two-year disqualification from the road which must be followed by extended driving test if Ashcroft wants to drive again.

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