Michael Collins the 140mph biker

[neillfergie]

First Person: Michael Collins the 140mph biker

By John Hogan (http://www.visordown.com/localiser/member.asp?SP=&v=1&memNo=157242)

First published in TWO, Michael was followed by an unmarked police biker as he rode at speeds of well over 100mph.

http://www.visordown.com/news/images/michael-collins-140mph-ban.jpghttp://www.visordown.com/t.gifI'm 22 years old and I'm a criminal. I did my bike test when I was 17 but my licence started getting fragile, so I went racing. I spent three years winning races at MRO level, set some lap records and broke some bones. I enjoyed it but it got too expensive. I didn't want to go back to road riding but the deal on the GSX-R was too good to miss. I didn't want anything bigger than a 600, they are ample and I thought it would keep me out of trouble. The bike wasn't exactly quiet, it had a full Akropovic system (which didn't help) nor did the small number plate.
My commute was down lovely open roads that you could fit four lanes down if you wanted to. I left home just after seven in the morning, as normal. There was a CBR600 following me. I wasn't to know it then, but he was an unmarked police bike. I was brought to their attention a month and a half before, for riding fast on that route. He followed me for about four or five minutes, gaining enough evidence to arrest me.



I pulled into a service station and he waited for me up the road. When I set off he followed me again. He left me a couple of miles from work. I was well aware of him being there, he was riding really close to me, more than any other rider normally would ride. I carried on riding quickly, partly because I didn't want him that close to me in case he was incapable, and stupidly because I assumed that it was just another one of the bikes I see on my way to work every day.
When I arrived at work there was a police car waiting for me. I was arrested, they seized my leathers, lid and my bike. I didn't think I was riding beyond my own limit. Watching the video while being interviewed I thought the policeman's riding was very sketchy. I was kept in a cell overnight because in their eyes I was too much of a danger to the public to be released that day.



I have never been in trouble with the police before and it definitely felt weird trying to get some sleep in a cell. My girlfriend didn't find out where I was until late at night, her mother logged a missing persons report when I didn't come home. She called the local hospitals and police stations, she actually called the police station I was being held at and asked if they had heard anything. They said that they hadn't even though I was being held downstairs.



They held me until I appeared in court, where I pleaded guilty because that was the advice that was given to me by the legal representation that the police provided me with. I got a two year ban, a three month suspended jail sentence and 240 hours community service. I believe the sentence that I got was worse because there was so much evidence. They had me doing double the speed limit in a thirty within the first four minutes of following me and a maximum of 125mph during the chase. When I went to the induction for my community service the kid sat next to me was caught with £1,500 worth of heroin on him, after a caution he was given 80 hours community service and was released. There are certain things you can do to reduce your term of community service, IT courses for example. If you have an education up to GCSE level or have a job you can't do them. The heroin dealer can do a 12-hour computer course and reduce his sentence by half.



This system has been devised after many years of refining the system to help people, this is supposed to make them better, which is pretty ****ed up. I'm ****ed off, I can accept the ban for the speeding, it was wrong. The suspended sentence I can cope with as I've never done anything wrong before this and don't plan on doing anything afterwards. But 240 hours of community service when I work six days a week, giving up every Sunday for a year to paint fences with proper criminals isn't going to do me any good whatsoever.



The police need more education in terms of the theory of dangerous driving, one of the policemen told me that while I was bolt upright, because I was under acceleration that I could fall of at any second. They don't really understand any other style of riding other than their own. I would love to get them on a track.



I've worked my **** of to get to the position I'm in here at work, but I'll have to take four or five steps back now. I do 16-hour days now that I have to use public transport, which sucks. It would be easier to move closer to my job, but I live ten steps from the beach and it feels like it would be just another thing I have to give up. I don't feel it's necessary to ride a bike on the road anymore, a car would do me now. If I had to give a message it would be that you don't know you're caught until you're caught. Always assume that you are being watched.





Discuss?

[plowsie]

Is this the kid whose riding was 10 times better than the copper and the copper nearly hit the biker coming the other way?

If so, nice riding mate, we all do it, maybe not all the way to 125mph but we all speed a little bit etc, but you were an unlucky one.

[keithd]

seems he got treated harsh when under caution.

but he was doing 60 in a 30, hit 125. i seem to think he's asking for trouble there.

comparing sentences with mr heroin man is pointless, never been in trouble before isn't a defence, im sure a large percentage of murderers hadn't been in trouble before.

harsh. but is it a lesson he'll not forget? will he speed again when he gets a bike. yep, i'd lay money he will so his punishment wont put him off.

[Luckypants]

.... They had me doing double the speed limit in a thirty within the first four minutes of following me and a maximum of 125mph during the chase.

Bellend.

[MiniMatt]

I think there's a degree of arrogance in there which isn't justified but the point about the punishment being toward the extreme end of "fitting the crime" seems to have some validity.

There's a difference between "being in control" and "not being a danger to those around you". Yep, you can be perfectly in control doing double the 30 limit through towns and villages, you are in no danger of falling off due to too high speed through average village corner radius.

It's the danger of comparing track riding to road riding. You can do corner angle X at speed Y perfectly safely and in perfect control on a track. Put angle X on the road though and you're simply not going to avoid kid running out to fetch a ball, or old lady blindly ploughing through a junction if you're going at speed Y. Sure, it's ultimately the kid/old ladies fault, they didn't pay attention but most of the point of speed limits in towns is that it gives you the capacity and the time to avoid people who are not looking where they're going; the kid chasing a ball is still dead, doesn't really matter now if it was his fault or not, but if you were doing the speed limit the kid would be alive - soiled undergarments thanks to a bike narrowly missing him, but alive. You don't ride at an appropriate speed for the road, you ride at an appropriate speed for kids running out chasing a ball. I've got a huge problem with people doing 60 in a 30 zone, I've got very little problem with people doing 120 on a suitable NSL road.

The comparison with the heroin dealer cuts both ways. Both he and the dealer are ultimately endangering other people's lives. But can't the heroin dealer argue that he only endangers the lives of people who have chosen to endanger their lives? (I know, the nature of addiction is nothing like as easy, just making the point for arguments sake).

That said, does seem rather bonkers to keep him in remand until his court appearance.

[Viney]

Why is it called 140mph biker when he only got to 125mph?

[keithd]

Why is it called 140mph biker when he only got to 125mph?

VAT

[Biker Biggles]

If it helps get him some sponsorship to get back into racing that would be good.
As for the police tactics we discussed it on another thread and my opinion was that the police follow was dangerous and reckless.They could have and should have stopped him as soon as he overstepped the mark,but were more interested in gathering more "evidence" so they could pin a bigger charge.

[maviczap]

H'mm, yes the speeding is excessive, but you've held you hands up to that, so fair do's. You can't undo what you've done, and as a father of two, I would have crucified you if you'd killed any children during you blast through the 30mph limit.

They should have banged up the Plymouth keeper for longer for what he did.

As for the herion kid, well the magistrates see them every day and the public interest has waned on banging them up for long stretches. The public are fed up with boy racers, no matter how good a rider/driver they are. So the magistrates are going to throw the book at you.

But as you only live 10 steps away from the beach, get you kicks by buying a speedboat or a jet ski and call it 'Fuzz Proof'. It'll make you feel beter :p

[plowsie]

VAT
Haha, love it.

[RichT]

VAT

:D lmao

[Dangerous Dave]

He was purposely speeding and he knew it, he got caught, and he got punished. Stop whining and trying to make money from your dumb a*s antics.

[Ceri JC]

"I was kept in a cell overnight because in their eyes I was too much of a danger to the public to be released that day."

Utterly unnecessary scare tactics in order to make him realise how serious it was IMO. They'd conviscated his bike and lid, did they really have any reason to expect him to borrow a mate's bike and do it again, or go on some sort of GTA-style rampage in revenge against society?

[Biker Biggles]

"I was kept in a cell overnight because in their eyes I was too much of a danger to the public to be released that day."

Utterly unnecessary scare tactics in order to make him realise how serious it was IMO. They'd conviscated his bike and lid, did they really have any reason to expect him to borrow a mate's bike and do it again, or go on some sort of GTA-style rampage in revenge against society?


Agreed.I often see scrotes pulled by the bill who cant produce ID but who have commited offences(traffic or public order)and they are not even arrested let alone kept in overnight.They knew exactly who this bloke was,so he was unlikely to do an Azil Nadir to Cyprus before going to court.

[Dangerous Dave]

"I was kept in a cell overnight because in their eyes I was too much of a danger to the public to be released that day."

Utterly unnecessary scare tactics in order to make him realise how serious it was IMO. They'd conviscated his bike and lid, did they really have any reason to expect him to borrow a mate's bike and do it again, or go on some sort of GTA-style rampage in revenge against society?
Agreed.I often see scrotes pulled by the bill who cant produce ID but who have commited offences(traffic or public order)and they are not even arrested let alone kept in overnight.They knew exactly who this bloke was,so he was unlikely to do an Azil Nadir to Cyprus before going to court.
What he fails to truthfully mention is the way he acted when he was caught, the police will treat you in accordance to the manor you are perceived when you are apprehended.

[RichT]

He was purposely speeding and he knew it, he got caught, and he got punished. Stop whining and trying to make money from your dumb a*s antics.

+1 - harsh, but true.... he knew what he was doing and he got caught. Although I do think the extended evidence gathering was a step too far.

[Ceri JC]

What he fails to truthfully mention is the way he acted when he was caught, the police will treat you in accordance to the manor you are perceived when you are apprehended.

Did he kick off at the police/resist arrest or something then?

[Richie]

Just goes to prove that drug use (excessive Speed) and bikes don't mix... what was the question again...?

[DanAbnormal]

VAT

ROFL!!!!

Yeah, I sort of feel a little sorry for him. Doesn't sound like a bad guy but then what he did was damn risky. The Police biker was also a danger to everyone else yet I bet he got a pat on the back. The Police should not endanger the public when chasing criminals, perhaps a niaeve look on things but it's the only view I have being Joe Public. Anyway, I guess be more mindful in 30's and don't assume the bike behind you isn't a copper!

[grh1904]

I get TWO delivered as I subscribe to it, however I do have an issue with the slightly biased stance of the report. There are many factual errors within the report that would tend to mislead the public.

For example, the report makes quite a lot about this chap claiming his girlfriend didn't know where he was, the Police station when called said they didn't know where he was AND it even goes on to say something (can't remember exactly what) about a missing persons report. WHAT A COMPLETE LOAD OF OLD BORLOX.

When anyone is arrested and taken into Police custody there is a certain procedure to follow. This procedure is laid out in an act of Parliament called PACE. Police & Criminal Evidence Act. If these procedures are not followed then a persons detention could be deemed unlawfull and as a result any evidence gained from interview could be ruled inadmissable at court, and subsequent conviction ruled unsafe etc etc.

A person is taken into custody, the officer outlines the circumstances of the arrest to the custody Sergeant who decides whether to authorise detention or not. If yes he must inform the person of this, and the custody Sergeant MUST straight away give the person the following rights:-

1. You have the right to have someone informed that you have been arrested.

2. You have the right to consult with an independant solicitor free of charge either in person or on the phone.

3. You can consult a copy of the codes of practice, that's a book covering Police powers and procedures.

4. You can do any of those things now, or at any time whilst detained at this Police station.

If the detained person is under the influence of ANY substances then once they are sober etc the rights are gone through again.

Having read the report and knowing how the Police procedure works, I know that there is a real amount of bias in this report. He had the right at any time to have someone informed. Only in exceptional circumstances can a senior officer take away the persons right to have someone informed, for example drug traffiking, murder, serious assaults where there is more than one offender etc.

Also, the remand in Police custody appears to have been "flowered op/over" a bit as well. I had invlovment with a drink driver a couple of years ago, who blew almost 4 times the limit. At the time of blowing this person had 2 impending prosecutions for drink driving. I and my colleague asked for a remand in custody to go before the court on Monday morning, on the grounds that this perosn was obviously not going to stop and represented a real danger to the public etc, Our request was declined. Again knowing how the system works I would say that there may have been more to this than has been reported, for example did he give the Police false details or something, has he been in trouble before and has a history of failing to answer his bail, was he wanted in connection with another matter etc.

Just my opinion on having read the report. It's all too easy to jump on the blame the Polis bandwagon. If a person is deemed to have been treated harshly, blame the Police, if a person appears to have been treated to softly, blame the Police.

[Warthog]

It seems like a harsh punishment, especially when other worse crimes seem to carry lower punishments, but he did double the speed limit and topped 125mph, so its his own fault!

[grh1904]

They held me until I appeared in court, where I pleaded guilty because that was the advice that was given to me by the legal representation that the police provided me with.




Discuss?

One other point, the Police do NOT provide anyone with a solicitor. If a person asks for a specific solicitor/company then they are contacted. If somone asks for the duty, then a call centre is contacted and they contact the next solicitor on the call out rota. Any solicitor provided is TOTALLY independant of the Police, the Crown Prosecution service and the courts.

If this chap is to belived then why aren't we opening our newspapers to read of yet another legal landmark case at the High Court in London about human/legal rights where the POLICE solicitor made someone plead guilty. I wasn't aware that the National Socialist Workers party led by that nice Austrian chappie Herr A. Hitler had come to power.

[Paws]

Serves him right-that fact that he reckons he kept going faster as he thought the cbr was going to rear end him??? Ermmm why not just pull over and let them pass then!

[vardypeeps]

Didn't he think twice after popping into the station and the bike happened to be waiting there for him on the way out??? Would have been a different story if the copper had fallen off while trying to keep up?

[TimTucker]

He makes it sound like this kind of behaviour was a one-off. But why was an unmarked bike waiting to follow him into work? I recall reading on the thread with the original video footage this was because there had been persistent reports about this guy and his regular speeding on this route.

I have no sympathy for him at all.

[SoulKiss]

He got what he deserved.

However.....

1) Surely if it was "intelligence based" they could have just recorded the time he left home, then recorded the time he got to work then done him on the average, no need for the copper to ride like a **** to get him on video.

2) The cops should have pulled him when he was observed doing the 1st illegal maneouver instead of allowing him to incriminate himself further - that may be ok when observing someone carrying out a burglary.drugs deal, but as this put members of the public at risk. At the very least they should have ended it at the petrol station when he was filling up - the cop could have gotten him alone, never mind needing backup.

Some VERY dodgy policing done there in my opinion.

[neillfergie]

I imagine the police bike following him had been instructed to follow him and gather evidence of his riding but not to intervene.

its borderline entrapment though cos the cops presence may have spurred him on to ride faster as you do if there are other bikes around you.

Still the fact remains that his riding was appalling (as was the cops) and getting caught doing it is by far better for him than being involved in a TA whilst riding like that.

[yorkie_chris]

The comparison with the heroin dealer cuts both ways. Both he and the dealer are ultimately endangering other people's lives. But can't the heroin dealer argue that he only endangers the lives of people who have chosen to endanger their lives?

Yeah you could also argue that if the guy on the bike comes a cropper then chances are he'll be the only one injured/killed. Compared to how much damage £1500 worth of filthy scagheads can do.

The whole thing stinks, the video showed a degree of arrogance from the copper like the "his cornerings terrible" comment as he was being left behind... And the "he's influencing other road users" ... as he was flashing people to move over. Hypocritical tw4t, needs kicking in the tits.

[grh1904]

Yeah you could also argue that if the guy on the bike comes a cropper then chances are he'll be the only one injured/killed. Compared to how much damage £1500 worth of filthy scagheads can do.

The whole thing stinks, the video showed a degree of arrogance from the copper like the "his cornerings terrible" comment as he was being left behind... And the "he's influencing other road users" ... as he was flashing people to move over. Hypocritical tw4t, needs kicking in the tits.

Sorry, but I find that comment way out of order. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and some may see the cop as being hypocritical, but to make a childish comment like that in what up to now has been a reasoned, sensible discussion....................................

[Speedy Claire]

What he fails to truthfully mention is the way he acted when he was caught, the police will treat you in accordance to the manor you are perceived when you are apprehended.


+ 1 my initial thought was that his manner must have been threatening or argumentative in order to spend the night in the cell, I wondered if that was in order to make him calm down and think!

He does come across as a little arrogant and more fool him for not slowing down when he realised he was being followed!

[yorkie_chris]

Sorry, but I find that comment way out of order. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and some may see the cop as being hypocritical, but to make a childish comment like that in what up to now has been a reasoned, sensible discussion....................................

Ok then he needs subjecting to disciplinary actions for riding like just as much of an rse as the person he was entrapping.

[grh1904]

That's more sensible a reply, and any action along those lines would generate from either a complaint from the chap himself or the IPCC.

As this has not been reported on I can only surmise that neither of the above has happened.

[SoulKiss]

That's more sensible a reply, and any action along those lines would generate from either a complaint from the chap himself or the IPCC.

As this has not been reported on I can only surmise that neither of the above has happened.

Could a concerned member of the public make such a comaplaint having viewed the video, which we are assured due to its previous useage as such, to be of presentable in court quality?

[Daimo]

Im a little disgusted with some of the "fellow biker" comments in this post. Im saddened by it.

The guys held his hands up the the speeding offence, he knows he done wrong. Those of who have sped do, its our risk, we take it, if we get caught, we don't moan. It doesn't seem to me that this guy is moaning about being caught speeding.

Its the way the entire case has been handled, and the fact he's been treated as scum, meanwhile that little chav who's probably already back out carrying knifes and mugging schoolchildren will get away with 1/4 of the punishment.

Sure a life COULD have been taken in an accident, but it wasn't.

Its already been discussed that the police rider was far more dangerous in his riding towards the public.

It was un-marked. Have ANY of you been chased by an unmarked car/bike? Course not.

Seems theres a lot of "moral highground tap tap tap on the keyboard" people in here, neglecting how they would act in a similar situation. Ignorence is bliss i guess....

Becuase your all goody 2 shoes, you never speed, or ride wrecklessly, or peform a naughty move at some point in your biking lifes.

Hmmmmmmmm....... The guys not innocent, deserved the banning, but the rest, is pure bullsh1t, just like some of the replies im saddened to read in this post.

[keithd]

Im a little disgusted with some of the "fellow biker" comments in this post. Im saddened by it.

The guys held his hands up the the speeding offence, he knows he done wrong. Those of who have sped do, its our risk, we take it, if we get caught, we don't moan. It doesn't seem to me that this guy is moaning about being caught speeding.

Its the way the entire case has been handled, and the fact he's been treated as scum, meanwhile that little chav who's probably already back out carrying knifes and mugging schoolchildren will get away with 1/4 of the punishment.

Sure a life COULD have been taken in an accident, but it wasn't.

Its already been discussed that the police rider was far more dangerous in his riding towards the public.

It was un-marked. Have ANY of you been chased by an unmarked car/bike? Course not.

Seems theres a lot of "moral highground tap tap tap on the keyboard" people in here, neglecting how they would act in a similar situation. Ignorence is bliss i guess....

Becuase your all goody 2 shoes, you never speed, or ride wrecklessly, or peform a naughty move at some point in your biking lifes.

Hmmmmmmmm....... The guys not innocent, deserved the banning, but the rest, is pure bullsh1t, just like some of the replies im saddened to read in this post.

i've read every post on this thread, and havnt read anything like as bad as you're making out...maybe i've misread or taken tone and what was intended a different way to you...

[yorkie_chris]

Seems theres a lot of "moral highground tap tap tap on the keyboard" people in here, neglecting how they would act in a similar situation. Ignorence is bliss i guess....

Where?

[Daimo]

Im not pointing out individual comments. Im in fear of "upsetting" them, or being banned, or offending someones rights or something.

Some people will see the comments, some won't. Depends what kind of a person you are and how you approach your motorcycles and riding.

Im not going there any more with this post, had my say. Some will agree, some won't.

[Dangerous Dave]

its borderline entrapment though cos the cops presence may have spurred him on to ride faster as you do if there are other bikes around you.
That is not entrapment.

Have ANY of you been chased by an unmarked car/bike?
Yes actually, why?

[Speedy Claire]

Daimo we may be "fellow bikers" but that doesn`t mean we have to agree with or approve of dangerous riding.....


Daily 140mph on A21 biker caught by police

A MOTORCYCLIST was filmed by police driving at breakneck speeds of over 140mph as he raced from Hastings to London on the A21.
Police were alerted to the man's dangerous driving following numerous complaints from Hastings residents and drivers on the A21 road - often referred to as the snail trail!

They reported a motorcyclist riding dangerously and at excessive speed on a daily basis.

Police carried out intelligence work with regard to the biker who appeared to be starting his journey in the London Road area of St Leonards.

The method of riding was considered so extreme by investigating officers from the Sussex Road Policing Unit that normal stopping procedures were not considered appropriate.

Instead, the rider was safely tracked using unmarked cars and an unmarked motorcycle in order to gather evidence to support a prosecution.

In astonishing police footage he is seen speeding at over 100mph as he approaches Robertsbridge.

As he enters Hurst Green he is again filmed doing 100mph - in a 30mph area.

The damning evidence goes on to show him overtaking on solid white lines, driving on the wrong side of the road, doing wheelies, driving one-handed, zipping between lanes on the Lamberhurst bypass and hitting the horrifying 140mph on that stretch.

But it was the end of the road for Michael James Collins, 22, when he was arrested at the motorcycle dealership in South London where he works on Wednesday last week.

Collins, who gave an address in Beckenham, Kent, appeared at Crawley Magistrates Court the following day where he pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.

He was sentenced to a two year suspended prison sentence, disqualified from driving for two years (with the requirement to take an extended test), given 240 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay costs.

Speaking after the case, Inspector Marc Clothier said: "This type of riding is wholly unacceptable and poses a significant risk to every road user.


Oh and yes i`ve also been "pursued" by an unmarked police car whilst riding.... yes I was speeding but my riding wasn`t considered dangerous. I put my hand up and admitted I was in the wrong, was extremely courteous and they let me off with a severe warning.

[yorkie_chris]

That is not entrapment.

Entrapment is the act of a law enforcement agent inducing a person to commit an offence which the person would otherwise have been unlikely to commit.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment#cite_note-0) In many jurisdictions, entrapment is a possible defense against criminal guilt.

So you could argue if the copper hadn't been having a dice with him, then that dangerous driving charge or whatever would have simply been speeding.

The guys obviously been riding a bit quick before... but the coppers riding certainly didn't help matters. If another biker wants to play... most people will oblige them.

[neillfergie]

I know its not entrapment, i just feel that the fact the biker he saw in his rear view "keeping up" may have egged him on to go faster, we all do it, not an excuse mind just a thought.

[Dangerous Dave]

So you could argue if the copper hadn't been having a dice with him, then that dangerous driving charge or whatever would have simply been speeding.

The guys obviously been riding a bit quick before... but the coppers riding certainly didn't help matters. If another biker wants to play... most people will oblige them.
Aye, but Chris he wasn't forced into anything. You can roll off and let them past or even ignore them.

[Speedy Claire]

It seems to me that the original post (no offence Neil) was posted without the other side of the arguement. As bikers we surely can`t advocate speeds of 100mph in a 30mph zone? As this guy was on his way to work i`m assuming that it`s around what? 8am to 9am. Was there a school in that 30mph zone?

On my recent bikesafe course I watched a video of a guy who`d been similarly prosecuted and received a similar sentence for doing speeds of 100mph in a 30mph zone. In the video he admits how he was in the wrong, he was filmed doing 105mph past a primary school.

Fair play to the guy for admitting how stupid and irresponsible he was....... at least he`s not complaining about how unfair it all is like this Michael Collins! Slate me if you want but as far as I`m concerned Michael Collins got the punishment he deserved.

[yorkie_chris]

Aye, but Chris he wasn't forced into anything. You can roll off and let them past or even ignore them.

Yes you can, but you must see that riding up someones rse is probably going to get them to go even faster. Especially an ex-racer on a road he knows well. The guys nicked red handed ... I'm just saying the copper went to absurd and dangerous lengths to do it and I think he was well out of order.

[Dangerous Dave]

Slate me if you want but as far as I`m concerned Michael Collins got the punishment he deserved.
I think you are spot on there Claire.

[Dangerous Dave]

I'm just saying the copper went to absurd and dangerous lengths to do it and I think he was well out of order.
Aye, a little evidence and proof of his vehicles identity was all that was needed.

[dyzio]

i've read every post on this thread, and havnt read anything like as bad as you're making out...maybe i've misread or taken tone and what was intended a different way to you...

Think that's because.... well, search for a video of Diamo's riding, then you'll know why he's "a little disgusted with some of the "fellow biker" comments".

[yorkie_chris]

Fair play to the guy for admitting how stupid and irresponsible he was....... at least he`s not complaining about how unfair it all is like this Michael Collins! Slate me if you want but as far as I`m concerned Michael Collins got the punishment he deserved.

I'm ****ed off, I can accept the ban for the speeding, it was wrong. The suspended sentence I can cope with as I've never done anything wrong before this and don't plan on doing anything afterwards. But 240 hours of community service when I work six days a week, giving up every Sunday for a year to paint fences with proper criminals isn't going to do me any good whatsoever. The police need more education in terms of the theory of dangerous driving, one of the policemen told me that while I was bolt upright, because I was under acceleration that I could fall of at any second. They don't really understand any other style of riding other than their own. I would love to get them on a track.


That doesn't sound to me like he's complaining how unfair it is. In fact it sounds fairly reasonable.

[yorkie_chris]

I think you are spot on there Claire.

I disagree. He's been punished enough by the ban as now he's getting the bus. What debt does he have to repay to society with community service? He hurt noone.

Has the copper been given same for making people $hit themselves with his dodgy overtakes?

[Speedy Claire]

Chris he`s lucky he didn`t kill someone........ the very fact that he`s posted his article at all instead of shutting up and accepting his sentence is (to me) complaining. He accepts the ban for speeding, big deal! what about accepting that he was riding dangerously and without regard for other human life. Ok so we`ve all ridden at over the legal limit, I`m certainly not saying i`m a saint BUT 100mph in a 30mph zone to me says it all, I`d never be so stupid as to ride in that manner. He needs to consider himself both lucky to be alive and lucky that he didn`t kill anyone and he needs to shut up and get on with painting those fences.

[grh1904]

STUFF..............

Hmmmmmmmm....... The guys not innocent, deserved the banning, but the rest, is pure bullsh1t, just like some of the replies im saddened to read in this post.

Daimo,
Can I take it that by this comment you mean the rest of the stuff in the article?????

What I read is a very small article filled out to cover a full page in a magazine with bullsh*t. All that stuff about his g/friend not knowing where he is etc can only be a load of made up sh1te. If he was so concerned about her not knowing where he was why didn't he just exercise his rights to have someone informed?

If no-one was informed then he only has himself to blame.

By writing an article such as this with those factual inaccuracies they are trying to shift more magazines. just look at the amount of discussion that it has generated, how many extra magazines can they shift this month with those who might only be a casual buyer going out to buy it to see what all the fuss is about.

Let me just add one more point, I also agree with daimo's point above, he's not innocent and got what he deserved full stop.

What I do take offence from in the article is the way that it makes out that the Police treated him unfairly. He has right like everyone else that the Police CANNOT take away from him, ie having his g/friend informed. ALSO any punishment given out is from the courts, the Police have absolutely NOTHING to do with this. If people on here think his punishment is unfair compared to what a smackhead gets, then that's a matter that should be put to the magistrates vis a letter to the Home secretary.

[SoulKiss]

Chris he`s lucky he didn`t kill someone........ the very fact that he`s posted his article at all instead of shutting up and accepting his sentence is (to me) complaining. He accepts the ban for speeding, big deal! what about accepting that he was riding dangerously and without regard for other human life. Ok so we`ve all ridden at over the legal limit, I`m certainly not saying i`m a saint BUT 100mph in a 30mph zone to me says it all, I`d never be so stupid as to ride in that manner. He needs to consider himself both lucky to be alive and lucky that he didn`t kill anyone and he needs to shut up and get on with painting those fences.

You are missing the point that is annoying people.

The police biker did EVERYTHING that they guy arrested did, and it was all unnecessary.

They could have gotten him in a couple of locations with speed cameras and there was an occasion where he stopped for fuel - surely it would have been safe to stop/detain him there.

So what if the evidence would only have gotten him ban due to them only catching him doing a few of the things he was doing - but would have been safer.

[yorkie_chris]

Chris he`s lucky he didn`t kill someone......

Himself maybe, that's the statistically most likely thing to happen if (when) that sort of riding goes wrong.

The thing that gets to me is the fact that the coppers riding was worse by a fair margin. The guy was being left behind on the technical bits... and then following the biker through overtakes in a dodgy way ... and basically riding like a w4nker! And then what... put back in his box with a chew toy and a pat on the head. Yeah nice one.

Personally I would have found it ironically amusing if the copper were to have fallen off trying to catch the guy going round a corner. But I bet the video wouldn't have come out on youtube/you've been framed then.

[Speedy Claire]

You are missing the point that is annoying people.

The police biker did EVERYTHING that they guy arrested did, and it was all unnecessary.

They could have gotten him in a couple of locations with speed cameras and there was an occasion where he stopped for fuel - surely it would have been safe to stop/detain him there.

So what if the evidence would only have gotten him ban due to them only catching him doing a few of the things he was doing - but would have been safer.


TBH I wasn`t commenting on the debate about how the police handled the whole thing and whether it was right or wrong.

I was purely responding to Daimo`s comment that he was disgusted at our (as fellow bikers) comments. I was simply pointing out to him why I would never support or approve of any biker riding in that manner.

[Biker Biggles]

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the case it remains true that plenty of police chases end up in crashes,some of them fatal,and this was an example of one which should have been called off by the control room very early on.It wasnt and that is something that should be investigated.

[gettin2dizzy]

Seems harsh, but he should just be happy he hasn't been locked up. His report sounds like a school essay!

[Luckypants]

It seems to me that the police 'evidence gathering' was well and truly discussed and condemned in the thread about the 'follow' (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=118639).

This is thread is getting caught up in that debate, when in fact we are discussing the article in TWO, where the guy puts his side of the story.

Anyone who does 60 (which he admits) or more (video alleges 100) in a 30 limit is a tool and deserves to be punished. He is trying to make out that he was treated badly. I'm sure (as has been pointed out) his g/f not knowing where he was because he didn't tell her. If PACE rights had been breached, his lawyer would have jumped all over that. If his lawyer told him to plead guilty it is because the evidence was bang to rights and he was gonna get convicted, not because it was the 'police lawyer'. Pleading guilty is probably what saved him from being locked up!

To me he is another speeder / reckless rider just moaning that he's hard done by. He should keep the speed on the track. Take it on the chin mate and learn to ride responsibly on the road.



PS I am no saint and would take a nicking on the chin. Won't catch me deliberately speeding in 30s and 40s though.

[gettin2dizzy]

Anyone who does 60 (which he admits) or more (video alleges 100) in a 30 limit is a tool and deserves to be punished.



PS I am no saint and would take a nicking on the chin. Won't catch me deliberately speeding in 30s and 40s though.
I'm sensible in 30/40s too. But often the 30 or 40 limit isn't justified.

In the video, the 30 limit wasn't residential.

[grh1904]

It seems to me that the police 'evidence gathering' was well and truly discussed and condemned in the thread about the 'follow' (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=118639).

This is thread is getting caught up in that debate, when in fact we are discussing the article in TWO, where the guy puts his side of the story.

Anyone who does 60 (which he admits) or more (video alleges 100) in a 30 limit is a tool and deserves to be punished. He is trying to make out that he was treated badly. I'm sure (as has been pointed out) his g/f not knowing where he was because he didn't tell her. If PACE rights had been breached, his lawyer would have jumped all over that. If his lawyer told him to plead guilty it is because the evidence was bang to rights and he was gonna get convicted, not because it was the 'police lawyer'. Pleading guilty is probably what saved him from being locked up!

To me he is another speeder / reckless rider just moaning that he's hard done by. He should keep the speed on the track. Take it on the chin mate and learn to ride responsibly on the road.



PS I am no saint and would take a nicking on the chin. Won't catch me deliberately speeding in 30s and 40s though.


Thank you, firstly for bringing us back on track, secondly, my points exactly!!!!!!!!

[Luckypants]

But often the 30 or 40 limit isn't justified

True, but that is not an argument to have when you are about to be sentenced for doing 60 through it. If you disagree with a limit, take it up with the council.

The discussion is not about the rights / wrongs of speed limits, but the guy's whinging.

[Alpinestarhero]

If I think someone is riding too close, I dont speed up...i slow down and wave them on.

When I was doing bikesafe, the police copper sat in my blind spot alot, i didnt like it. I wonder if the police veiw this as a safe way to ride in packs? It might be safe for them, but its not safe for others.

I've heard things like this before about riders being "heckled" into riding fast by an unmarked police officer

[northwind]

The article's not set out to present both sides, it's purely his version, which as discussed is full of lies, and no surprise. But he doesn't claim to be impartial, and neither do TWO, so that's all fine. It's a shame they didn't give the police a chance to respond though, since a lot of people will probably take his version at face value, particularily when it's in print.

I didn't have much of an issue with the police biker's riding, Collins' was a fair bit worse (less gaps, worse visibility, and of course the copper had the big advantage of being second- traffic has just had its bike awareness raised by Collins, as anyone knows it's easier to keep up in traffic in the hole left by the rider in front, in most cases). And in town the risks for the second person are so much lower- when a bike blasts by at 100mph, people check the traffic before they step out after it...

[richie95]

he took the p1ss and got caught now he is whining like a prison bi-atch.....

that speed past standing traffic... anyone stepping through and he would have been effed... no comment on the police, his riding was worse than whiny-boys....

get some wood... build a bridge... and get over it!!!!

[Davido]

So I hear Neio got banned?

[hob]

So I hear Neio got banned?

lmao :p

[northwind]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=47096488

[hob]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=47096488

DAMN :o

If our Judges were that hot, I'd be in court everyday!

lmao at the end!

[Lozzo]

Serves him right-that fact that he reckons he kept going faster as he thought the cbr was going to rear end him??? Ermmm why not just pull over and let them pass then!

His Gixer should have blown any CBR600 off the road, so I have no sympathy.

[DanAbnormal]

So I hear Neio got banned?

The best post so far.

LMAO!

[Baph]

So you could argue if the copper hadn't been having a dice with him, then that dangerous driving charge or whatever would have simply been speeding.

The guys obviously been riding a bit quick before... but the coppers riding certainly didn't help matters. If another biker wants to play... most people will oblige them.
YC, you seem like a decent guy, but I completely disagree with that. The copper wasn't dicing with him. I've had police bikes doing faster than he was on the video, and they've been closer to me. Granted they were marked bikes & definitely weren't in the mood to stop me due to speed. But that's a separate issue.

you must see that riding up someones rse is probably going to get them to go even faster. Especially an ex-racer on a road he knows well. The guys nicked red handed ... I'm just saying the copper went to absurd and dangerous lengths to do it and I think he was well out of order.
Again, I've had police far closer to me than in that video. Once in a 50 zone, I've had a copper so close to me I thought I'd be able to taste his front wheel (and I was having problems seeing him in my mirrors!).


The police biker did EVERYTHING that they guy arrested did, and it was all unnecessary.

They could have gotten him in a couple of locations with speed cameras and there was an occasion where he stopped for fuel - surely it would have been safe to stop/detain him there.

Surely you agree that a speed camera doesn't stop/detain anyone. Given his background (that I know of), I wouldn't be surprised to see him gun it after an attempted stop (unless a roadblock was used etc). Then where would we be?

I don't agree with the claim that the police biker waited for him when he stopped for fuel - it should of been ended there & then (as in the case with N Wales helicopter not long ago).

But then, I don't agree that the copper did everything the regular biker did either. In a pursuit, needs must.

The only thing I remember the police rider doing wrong (what I call wrong) is when he had a minor "incident" with the oncoming biker.

Anyway, 100mph in a 30zone, residential or otherwise, IMO he deserves to spend time at her majesties pleasure. Not for speeding or being dangerous, just for being so damn stupid!

[northwind]

The point of the pursuit was just to really, seriously nail him I think- static cameras or observers along the route would get him for a couple of incidents but the chase cam really shows how constant the speeding and bad moves were, which other means couldn't.

[Lozzo]

In a pursuit, needs must.


It wasn't a pursuit, it was a 'follow' to gather evidence. There were no needs to 'must'.

[Stu]

Da
Collins, who gave an address in Beckenham, Kent,
10 mighty big paces he takes to the beach :lol:

[hob]

10 mighty big paces he takes to the beach :lol:

lmao! :D

[Stu]

When I was doing bikesafe, the police copper sat in my blind spot alot, i didnt like it. I wonder if the police veiw this as a safe way to ride in packs? It might be safe for them, but its no
I reckon you need to adjust your mirrors then. Where is your blind spot?
your mirrors should cover everthing from directly behind you to about 45 degrees from absolutely behind you

[Baph]

I reckon you need to adjust your mirrors then. Where is your blind spot?
your mirrors should cover everthing from directly behind you to about 45 degrees from absolutely behind you

How many threads have we seen where people state they only see their elbows in the SV mirrors? Surely you have to agree that there's a gaping blind spot, purely because of where you sit on the bike.

I'm with Matt, I've had a copper sit on my tail, his front wheel being about 2ft max from my rear wheel. There's no possible mirror adjustment you can make to allow them to be visible.

Also, if they're advanced riders, I position myself so I can see the rider in front's visor in their mirrors, why can't they?

[jimmy__riddle]

Also, if they're advanced riders, I position myself so I can see the rider in front's visor in their mirrors, why can't they?

+1

I always make sure i can see the rider in fronts visor.

[Alpinestarhero]

I reckon you need to adjust your mirrors then. Where is your blind spot?
your mirrors should cover everthing from directly behind you to about 45 degrees from absolutely behind you

I think it might be due to my wide elbows and not so wide mirrors, I can see a fair amount but yea, I will think about having a little adjustment.

It still isn't nice for them to be so close

[Warthog]

I flap my arms like a chicken when trying to look directly behind me :).