Thirteen motorcyclists have been sentenced today (11 July) for taking part in a mass ride which caused widespread chaos in Leeds city centre.
Around 100 bikers were involved in the Halloween ‘ride-out’ in October 2016, which was arranged on social media. They split into two groups, driving en masse and at speed through red lights, on pavements and through a pedestrian precinct, busy with shoppers. Approximately 60 bikers drove through the Leeds central shopping arcade, a historic covered area, barely 16 feet wide.
The police received over 160 complaints from members of the public. Emergency road closures were put in place to contain the disruption and a police helicopter was deployed.
The defendants pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance and each received a prison sentence of at least 12 months. David Armitage, 26, who organised the event online, was sentenced to two years in prison.
Another rider, Nicholas Flaherty, 30, was sentenced to 12 months for causing a public nuisance and four months for perverting the course of justice, by encouraging the other participants to dispose of evidence such as their bikes and clothing in the aftermath of the incident.
Michael Quinn from the CPS said:
“These defendants set out to cause what they termed online as, ‘carnage’ and ‘mayhem’ in Leeds that day. Many of the public were extremely frightened by these criminal acts. It is only by good fortune that no one was seriously injured or killed.
“The CPS worked with police to ensure that those responsible faced charges that reflected the danger and widespread alarm they caused. Today’s sentences should leave them in no doubt of the serious consequences of this type of criminal behaviour. They risk custody and driving bans.”
Notes:
Omar Ahmed was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
David Ermitage was sentenced to two years in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Ashley Benson was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Michael Clough was sentenced to 14 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Ben Colley was sentenced to 18 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Dean Fawcett was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Nicholas Flaherty was sentenced to 18 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Rachel Taylor was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Joshua Hawley was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Dylan Lockwood was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Adam Nicholson was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Anton Rojas was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
Jamie Ayres was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months
