Electric motorbike rider jailed after crashing into police officer while fleeing arrest

A man has been sentenced to 21 months in jail following a crash with a police officer while using an electric motorbike.

Jake Fernandes, 25, was sentenced for five offences after his bike, bags of cannabis and cash were seized.

It happened on Amroth Road in Caerau, Cardiff, at about 20:30 BST on 11 August.

Recorder Robin Rouch who oversaw the sentencing said the 25-year-old had tried to evade arrest and by doing so caused the officer injury.

Appearing via video link from HMP Cardiff, Fernandes from Caerau was sentenced for driving a Sur-Ron "e-bike" dangerously, driving without insurance or a licence, as well as possession with intent to supply cannabis and being involved in the production of cannabis.

South Wales Police said the officer was conducting patrols as part of a plain-clothes operation responding to "community concerns about the illegal and anti-social use of high-powered electric bikes".

Tim Lewis, prosecuting, said the defendant "appeared to taunt" officers before trying to get away. He then crashed into PC Hamer when the officer stepped out into the road to try to stop him.

Lewis said the injuries, although not serious, "resulted in hospital treatment" and the judge was shown images of the cuts and bruises to Hamer's elbow, legs and head from the collision.

The court heard the defendant had attempted to flee after the crash but was arrested by officers.

A search found 40 snap bags of cannabis, £735 cash and a telephone on the 25-year-old. A search of his home address also found the "remainder of a cannabis production factory".

Sentencing, Rouch said he had to consider that Fernandes had clearly tried to "evade the arrest" and as a result an officer was "hit with some force".

"It is fortunate that the injuries are not more serious and that's more luck than judgement," he said.

Rouch said he accepted Fernandes "did not deliberately drive at the officer" and acknowledged his guilty pleas came at an early stage. However "in any event you should not have been on the bike on the road".

Fernandes was sentenced to 21 months and will serve at least 40% in custody.

He was also disqualified from driving for 21 months and will need to sit an advanced re-test in order to drive again.