A speeding motorcyclist suspected to be driving under the influence was carrying a young child as pillion passenger along North Shore Road in Hamilton Parish late on Friday.

According to police, a mobile patrol spotted the vehicle driving at speed near the Esso service station on Crawl Hill at about 9.30pm. The bike rider was overtaking vehicles and nearly collided with oncoming traffic.

When police activated their emergency lights and sirens in a bid to stop the rider, he continued driving east in an erratic manner.

A police spokesman said: “Officers monitored the vehicle’s movements from a distance and approached once it came to a stop after having turned on to Summit View Drive.

“They then engaged the motorcycle rider, a male, at which point they observed signs of impairment. Officers also observed a small child on the back of the motorcycle.”

The rider refused to prove a breath sample, and checks on the bike’s licence plate revealed that it had been reported stolen. The suspect was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

The spokesman added: “A relative of the arrested man attended the scene where he became combative and was arrested for conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

“The child was left safely in the care of another relative.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Police constable Jordan Basden on 211 or by e-mail at jordan.basden@bps.bm.