Ipswich man fined after being caught riding e-scooter under influence of drugs
The 22 year old will also serve a driving ban
Last updated 26th Feb 2023
An Ipswich man has been handed a £1,700 fine and has been banned from driving, after being convicted of riding an escooter while under the influence of drugs.
22 year old Brandon Polley, of Cauldwell Hall Road, was arrested on June 23 last year after being spotted by an unmarked police car travelling along Felixstowe Road.
He was later seen to fall off the scooter in front of officers on Bishops Hill, but rode off as police tried to stop him.
He was eventually tackled by an officer on Nacton Road.
Appearing at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Feburary 17, Polley admitted to sex offences including drug driving, driving without insurance, failing to stop, riding on a footpath and possession of a Class B drug.
PC Jake Lees, of Suffolk Constabulary, said: “Riding or driving any vehicle under the influence of drugs poses a danger to other members of the public – even more so when that vehicle is being used on a footpath.
“Brandon Polley could have caused serious injuries to a pedestrian – especially in his reckless attempts to evade police – or been involved in a collision with another vehicle, which would have likely caused serious injuries to himself.
"This very nearly happened that night when he came off the footpath just in front of our police car.
“Drug/drink-driving is one of the ‘Fatal 4’ main causes of fatal and serious collisions and it is something we will not tolerate – we have experienced the tragic consequences of this action far too many times.
“Use of electric scooters in a public place is prohibited – unless they have been formally hired in one of the designated towns and cities across the country where this is permitted. At present in Suffolk there is no such designated area, so use of them in any public place in the county is illegal.
“Anyone caught riding one will be guilty at the very least of driving without insurance, which will ordinarily result in their scooter being seized.”