A man was banned from the roads yesterday for driving a bike through a crowd of people during a pre-election event.

Ogundokun Awolala, 59, pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court to dangerous driving, causing a disturbance through disorderly behaviour and driving without a licence.

The court heard that the Progressive Labour Party held a procession through Hamilton on January 31 to celebrate Nomination Day ahead of the General Election on February 18.

The procession, with police vehicles at both ends, took up the entire road and involved about 70 people, including many seniors and some children.

At about 11am, the procession was stationary on Dundonald Street between Brunswick Street and Cedar Avenue.

The court heard that Awolala, who was riding a motorcycle along Cedar Avenue, drove around the police motorcycle in front of the crowd and directly into the procession.

Matthew Frick, for the Crown, added that Awolala made contact with several people as he drove through the crowd, including riding over a child’s foot.

Onlookers tried to stop him, the court heard, but Awolala continued to ride through the crowd.

Mr Frick said that Awolala eventually exited on Brunswick Street and rode around a police officer, who also attempted to stop him.

The officer followed Awolala down Brunswick Street and tried to arrest him when he stopped at its junction with Victoria Street.

Mr Frick said that Awolala immediately became aggressive and said: “Those people need to get out of the damn road.”

Officers handcuffed and arrested him for dangerous driving.

A check later revealed that his driver’s licence had expired.

Mr Frick argued that Awolala, from St George’s, should be fined $1,000 for each count of driving dangerously and disorderly conduct.

He also suggested that he should be fined an additional $200 for not having a valid licence.

Chardonnai Hughes, for the defence, said the incident was “an unfortunate situation” and her client took full responsibility for it.

She asked that Awolala be given time to pay any fines imposed.

Awolala contested the summary of evidence, telling the court: “I didn’t make those comments.”

Magistrate Craig Attridge reminded him: “You are not being charged based on comments.”

He fined Awolala $2,200 and ordered him to pay by May 30.

Mr Attridge also banned him from the roads for 18 months.

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