helmet.

Richard A. Soares, 19, stole the bike in the early morning hours of October 4, Sgt. Rex Osborne told Magistrates' Court this week.

It was parked by owner Jeremy Whitecross on Palmetto Road but not locked, the court heard. Soares sat on the bike and despite being told he could not ride it, pushed it along and jump-started it.

A Policeman saw him open up the throttle fully and get down into a racing position.

Ignoring the Police car's blue light and horn, Soares swerved across the road, preventing the officer from overtaking him.

Eventually, on Crown Hill Lane, he slid the bike across the road into some bushes and ran off.

Two weeks later he admitted the offences, telling Police: "I was scared''.

Soares, of Hermitage Lane, Devonshire, pleaded guilty to taking the bike, driving without a helmet, driving without third party insurance, driving dangerously and failing to stop for Police.

He was fined $950 and taken off the road for a year.