Biker is jailed for red-light crash

A MOTORCYCLIST has been jailed after “catapulting” two pedestrians into the air when he jumped a red light while escaping from police.

Lynton Bryan, of Salisbury Road, Oldham, was found guilty at a trial in September of dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.

He also faced a separate charge of possession of cannabis, for which he pleaded guilty on October 20.

The 24-year-old was sentenced to 15 months on Friday following the motorcycle incident on August 5 last year.

Bryan had taken a motorbike and was speeding through Oldham when he jumped the light at Cross Street, colliding with Habtom Ademneskel, who suffered brain damage, and Fissaha Tesfagabir, who suffered a fractured skull.

Passing sentence at Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar, said: “You were trying to escape from the police who were in hot pursuit of you when you went through a red traffic light.

“You collided with two pedestrians, throwing them into the air resulting in serious injuries.

“Mr Ademneskel suffered brain damage, and he is someone who would probably remain with some brain damage for the rest of his life.

“It seems that while Mr Tesfagabir did sustain a fracture of the skull, he is someone who has made a complete recovery.

“This offence of dangerous driving is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be considered.

“This is going to be by far the longest sentence you have ever served. ”

Bryan was sentenced to 15 months for dangerous driving, 12 months for aggravated vehicle taking and three months for possession of cannabis, to run concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.

Jennifer Birch, prosecuting, said: “Bryan, although injured himself, attempted to run from the scene of the accident.

Attempts by road users to stop him were unsuccessful. He also tried to push the motorbike away.

“Blood from Mr Bryan was found on the handle bars. Three months after the incident, he was arrested.

“Throughout three interviews, Mr Bryan said he was at his gym at the time of the incident. He said the blood was from a prior time when he had the owner’s permission to drive it.

“He then denied being the driver of the bike, stating he was a passenger on the back of it.

“Although there is a chance that Mr Ademneskel could improve, it is likely he will remain with a degree of cognitive impairment.

“During the time that the offence was being investigated, Mr Bryan was found in possession of £824 worth of cannabis on November 7, 2007. Mr Bryan always said that it was for his own use. That plea was accepted.”

Phillip Parry, defending, said: “Mr Bryan is a cannabis user. You may take the view that, although illegal, it is far better for a man of his age to be at home under his own roof smoking cannabis rather than peddling it on the streets.

“The defendent was found to be the rider of the motorcycle which collided with two pedestrians.

“The prospect of being taken away from his family, and his daughter is terrifying him. He has provided a letter apologising, while maintaining that he was not guilty of the offence.”