A speeding hit and run biker who sent a Dundee schoolboy flying and left him with a severe eye injury has been given unpaid work.
Unqualified driver Stephen Bell, 36, was caught after leaving his distinctive Tweety Pie helmet and a shoe behind as he fled from the scene of the crash.
A family member of the 15-year-old discovered Bell – who has a long list of previous convictions – had knocked down the youngster and left him injured on the road.
He got a tip-off about the rider’s identity, found Bell’s social media page and recognised the motorbike involved in the crash and the discarded trainer.
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown ordered Bell to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and placed him under social work supervision for 12 months.
He was banned from driving for two years.
Sickening collision
Fiscal depute Lynne Mannion told Dundee Sheriff Court Bell had not done any training to legally drive the powerful 600cc Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja motorcycle.
She said the schoolboy was on a BMX bike when he checked it was safe to cross Charleston Drive in Dundee shortly after 5pm on November 17 2020.
“He was not wearing a safety helmet and there were no lights on the BMX.
“A witness saw the motorcycle at high speed and accelerating.
“He checked the road was clear and safe to cross and he began to cycle across.
“As he neared the central markings he saw a single flash of light to his left.
“He began to speed up, believing a motorcycle was approaching.
“He was almost at the kerb when he was struck and knocked off.
“A witness saw an impact of some sort and saw an item flying through the air.
“They parked and could see a youth lying at the side of the road.”
Accused fled the scene
The motorbike was lying on its side on Charleston Drive, near the junction with Elmwood Drive.
The fiscal continued: “Its rider, the accused, was lying on the pavement.
“He was wearing a hi-visibility jacket and a multi-coloured Tweety Pie design motorcycle helmet.
“The accused removed his helmet, picked up the motorbike and tried to start it.
“He was told to remain where he was and dropped his mobile phone, which the witness picked up.”
Bell, Craigmore Street, Dundee, slipped out of the hi-vis jacket and ran off, leaving one of his shoes, the helmet and visor at the scene.
His other shoe was found nearby and an inspection of the motorcycle found it had a dangerously worn tyre with virtually no tread on it.
Long list of convictions
Ms Mannion told the court the schoolboy suffered a broken eye socket and cheekbone and had numerous cuts and grazing which kept him in hospital overnight.
The impact on the boy had been so severe he required surgery on an eye injury.
Bell’s Facebook page showed him on the motorbike and in a similar pair of trainers.
His DNA was confirmed from blood on the hi-vis jacket.
Bell admitted driving dangerously and grossly in excess of the 30 mph speed limit and causing serious injury to the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The court heard Bell has a long list of previous convictions for violence, dishonesty, drugs and driving offences.
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