'You were unbelievably stupid': Illegal quad biker injured two police officers as he tried to escape from petrol station forecourt

Zak McGuiness was spotted by officers on the four-wheel machine filling up at the petrol station on Leyland Road in Castleford.

Leeds Crown Court heard officers saw the bike pull into the station on July 18 last year.

Mehran Nassiri, prosecuting, said the officers realised it was not legal for road use and called for back-up from the police off-road motorbike team.

When they arrived one of the officers rode up to McGuiness and stopped in front of him.

The defendant then rode into the officer, hitting him above the knee.

The officer grabbed McGuiness' arm as he became stuck between the bike and the quad.

They quad bike ended up riding round in a circle as the officer still had hold of him.

McGuiness ran off towards a parade of shops and jumped over a wall.

He collided with two police officers, catching one with his arm.

During interview he told the police his foot had slipped on the clutch when the first officer tried to stop him.

The 25-year-old bricklayer pleaded guilty to assaulting the two officers and dangerous driving.

Kara Frith, mitigating, said McGuiness, of Birkhill, Airedale, Castleford, had bought the quad bike two days earlier for £1,000 with the purpose of riding it on the family's small holding.

She added: "It was a new 'toy' to him. He knew it was not road legal but was excited.

"He accepts full responsibility and was not thinking straight. He is fully aware of the seriousness of his actions."

She added: "It was ten seconds of absolute stupidity.

"He is incredibly remorseful. It was the joy of having a new 'toy'."

Judge Simon Batiste told McGuiness: "You were unbelievably stupid.

"You went to fill the quad up knowing it was not road usable. I'm satisfied that your remorse is genuine."

McGuiness was given a four-month sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for 12 months.

Judge Batiste added: "You have been fortunate. Make sure this does not happen again."