A teenager crashed a stolen motorbike into a car before fleeing the scene, a court heard.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court, Mackenzie Grace pleaded guilty to three charges – including riding the bike without insurance and without a licence and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.
Prosecutor Pauline Lambert said the defendant, of Erin Court, had “apparently been able to purchase” a bike that had been reported stolen in Bath two months before the crash on Christmas Day 2021.
The 18-year-old ploughed the bike – a relatively powerful 652cc BMW G650GS – into a Mitsubishi Lancer parked in Morrison Street, Rodbourne.
The owner of the car involved ventured outside after hearing a loud bang, discovering a male – now known to be Grace – trying to pick up the bike following the impact.
As he is approached, the defendant’s helmet fell off and he flees the scene on foot despite sustaining serious injuries. The Mitsubishi was written off as a result of the collision.
Emma Hillier, defending, said her client was aged 17 at the time of the offence – and he accepts that he was “very stupid” and “shouldn’t have been on the bike”.
She said that his friend owned a motorbike and he wanted to try and ride one. She described his decision as an “error of judgement”.
Ms Hillier said Grace has no intention of getting on any vehicle in future, until he has passed his test – but at present, he has no intention of learning to drive.
She added that he was in hospital for four days and required an operation. But more importantly, he lost his necklace during the incident, which contained his grandma’s ashes.
Grace works as a groundworker and is said to no longer hang around with friends who own motorbikes.
Magistrates imposed a six-month disqualification from driving and a £730 fine. He must also pay £85 prosecution costs and a £73 surcharge.
