A banned driver caught riding an electric scooter has avoided a prison sentence.
Nicholas Mutter, who was jailed for shining a laser at a police helicopter last year, appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 9 September.
The 42-year-old previously pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle without insurance.
It comes after police stopped the defendant riding an electric scooter in Islington, Trowbridge, on 1 April – despite being banned from driving.
Electric scooters are classed as motor vehicles, but insurance can’t be obtained for them for use on public roads. While inherently illegal, they still require a driving licence to be ridden on the highway.
In July 2024, Mutter was handed an eight-month jail term for shining a laser at a police helicopter as its crew searched for a high-risk missing person in Wiltshire.
The powerful light was shone at the helicopter multiple times, coming into the cockpit, and dazzling and distracting the pilot.
PS Evangeline Templar described his actions as “incredibly reckless and dangerous”.
On Tuesday, the court imposed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months.
Mutter was also disqualified from driving for a further three months and was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months.
He must also pay a £114 fine, £187 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs. The illegal e-scooter was also forfeited, and will be destoryed.
