A Newport man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison and banned from driving after leading police on a short pursuit on an electric motorbike, which he then threw off a bridge. The incident occurred near Clarence Place, with Gwent Police assisted by the National Police Air Service.
Helicopter footage captured the man, identified as Owen Pendree, riding the Sur-Ron "e-bike" down the middle of the road and performing wheelies. According to MotoEbikes, the top speed for such vehicles can range from 30 mph to 68 mph. During the pursuit, officers were heard remarking on the driver's actions as "stupid."
Pendree eventually pulled over, removed the electric motorbike from the road, and threw it off Newport Town Bridge before being apprehended by officers. The force stated that Pendree had "little option but to plead guilty" due to the available video evidence, noting he did not possess a valid license or the appropriate insurance.
PC Nathan Ford of Gwent Police commented on the sentencing, stating, "We welcome this sentence; it shows that dangerous drivers will be put before the courts and face justice."