Teenager mounted pavement, sped in 20mph zones and went wrong way around roundabout
This video shows policing chasing an electric bike rider through Flintshire. Their pursuit starts in the Penyffordd area at about 11.30pm one night and continues through suburban streets.
Luka Gambino was eventually stopped when police “nudged” his vehicle. The 18-year-old admitted dangerous driving and a string of motoring offences.
On Thursday, a judge at Mold Crown Court said he “just being an idiot”. He sentenced Gambino, of Beaconsfield Road, Shotton, to eight months in a Young Offenders Institution, suspended for two years, for dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 30 months. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here
Prosecutor Ryan Rothwell said on Thursday police officers saw the defendant with two others on electric bikes by the A5104 at about 11.30pm on Saturday, August 16. None wore a hard hat and police pulled up next to them.
When they were stationary the officers told them to stay where they were. But Gambino drove off, hitting and denting the side door of an Audi police vehicle.
He led police on a chase lasting four minutes from the Penyffordd area. During the pursuit Gambino mounted pavements, drove at 45mph in a 20mph zone, and went the wrong way around a roundabout.
Eventually, the police “nudged” him to a stop, the court heard. Gambino was arrested and drug tested. He was just over the legal limit for cannabis.
Electric scooter rider Luka Gambino, 18, Beaconsfield Road, Shotton, flees from police(Image: Crown Prosecution Service )
He admitted having no driving licence or insurance. Anna Price, defending, said a report found Gambino has “poor impulse control” but there is no reason why the defendant couldn’t do unpaid work as punishment.
The judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands said it was a “fairly protracted piece of bad driving”. He added: “He was just being an idiot. He was taking risks, he was cutting corners – there’s a potential for an accident.”
He said the pursuing police had had a difficult job because if the suspect had been injured during their chase then officers could have faced an investigation.
Suspending his sentence, the judge put Gambino on a tag during a four-month curfew between 8pm and 7am. He must also attend 25 days of rehabilitation activity.
He disqualified Gambino from driving for 30 months and he must pass an extended test.
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