ORANGE CAR BAD!
CCTV footage showing the moment a motorbike rider is rammed into the front of a parked van has been released as part of a renewed appeal for information.
The incident, which took place in Victoria Road, Pinxton on the morning of June 15 last year, left the rider – Ashley Wood – lying unconscious in the road with serious injuries.
The car, a distinctive bright orange Fiat Punto, drove off and was later found burnt out in a layby.
Officers are today issuing the footage as part of an ongoing investigation to try and identify the driver and occupants of the Punto.
The appeal comes after Wood was yesterday sentenced for a series of offences that took place in the minutes prior to the collision.
During our investigation, we discovered that Wood had himself embarked on a spree of criminal damage – trying to kick car wing mirrors and speeding along pavements.
The 29-year-old, of Talbot Street, Pinxton, was over the drink-drive limit at the time and also under the influence of drugs when he raced across the town on his uninsured mini-motorbike.
He was captured on CCTV kicking out at wing mirrors or parked cars – and on one clip can be seen to strike the mirror of a Nissan Qashqai.
Following a week-long stay in hospital for treatment to his injuries, as a result of the collision with the van, Wood was eventually charged with dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and driving without a licence or insurance.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, April 4. He also received a 12-month driving ban.
Detective Sergeant Scott Riley, from Derbyshire Constabulary’s Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Ashley Wood decided one morning that he was going to ride around on a mini motorbike, kicking the wing mirrors of cars parked across Pinxton.
“It’s clear from the CCTV footage that he had no regard for other people’s property, or indeed for other people’s safety. He rides at speed along pavements and, during the course of our investigations, we discovered he was riding under the influence of drink and drugs.
“The consequences could have been much worse. I’m pleased that he’s now been sentenced for his reckless actions and I hope this sends a clear message that we won’t tolerate behaviour like this on the streets of Derbyshire.