Man's crash injuries 'ongoing punishment' - judge

Injuries suffered by a man who crashed a stolen electric motorbike into a car would be an "ongoing punishment" and should serve as a "harsh lesson" to others, a judge has said.

James Finn was 18 when he rode at up to 49mph in a 30mph zone, before smashing into a turning car in South Shields in April 2023, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Finn, now 20, was "lucky" to survive but suffered extensive injuries to his leg, while the owner of the £8,895 bike was unable to recoup his financial loss, the court heard.

Finn was sentenced to 12 weeks detention, suspended for 18 months, with 100 hours unpaid work and £500 compensation to pay after admitting careless driving and aggravated vehicle taking.

The bike was taken from outside the owner's home in January 2023 and while prosecutors could not prove Finn was responsible, he would have known it was stolen when he was riding it on 21 April, the court heard.

He crashed into a car that was pulling out of Farmfoods on Sunderland Road, with crash investigators estimating he was travelling at up to 49mph moments before, the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, the driver of the car said the crash had made him "nervous" and "wary" and he was "shocked" Finn had not been wearing a helmet.

The owner of the bike said he was "angry and frustrated" and had been unable to claim for the loss of his bike on his insurance, as it was not secured by a bike lock at the time it was stolen.

He said he was still having to pay about £250 a month for the bike, even though it had been stolen and written off, as well as having to find funds for a new vehicle.

In mitigation, Robin Patton said Finn had been "incredibly lucky" to survive the crash and it was "extremely fortunate" there were "skilled surgeons" available to prevent him from losing his leg.

He said Finn's injuries were "lifelong" with further surgeries needed.

Judge Tim Gittins said Finn, of Sycamore Avenue, South Shields, had been "rather stupid".

He told Finn: "It's clear you suffered in a most painful way and sustained substantial injuries which are, in their own way, an ongoing punishment for what you did.

"It's a harsh lesson to learn and I wish more young men behaving in the way you did realise the risks they run in causing long-term damage to themselves and to others."

Finn was also banned from driving for 18 months.

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