Biker jailed over 20-minute reckless riding spree in Birmingham

A biker who tore through residential streets, pulling wheelies, weaving in and out of cars and causing pedestrians to leap out the way, has been jailed.

During his 20-minute reckless ride on a scrambler, Fabrice Tirant performed U-turns in the middle of the street.

He also took to pavements and sped through a children's playground, prompting members of the public to dial 999.

Unemployed Tirant, of Sheldon, Birmingham, was sentenced last week to eight months behind bars after admitting dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.

The 23-year-old's illegal antics in the city were captured by a West Midlands Police helicopter 2,000ft (609m) above the ground.

The airborne crew also guided officers at street level to eventually intercept and arrest Tirant in Fordfield Road, in the Lea Village area on 28 February.

The motorbike menace was found to have been riding on a provisional licence without insurance, while his bike had no lights, no working indicators and was not displaying a registration plate.

Following sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court, Sergeant Dave Lilwall said: "His riding was reckless...he put members of the public at risk.

"He was observed riding dangerously along residential streets, at speeds clearly faster than the traffic around him, under and overtaking vehicles at speed, pulling wheelies and tearing across parkland.

"The helicopter footage shows Tirant passing several pedestrians, some of whom had to take evasive action to avoid being hit.

"This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable: anyone who rides off-road bikes illegally on our streets can expect to have the bike seized and be prosecuted."

The force is currently running a region-wide crack-down on illegal and anti-social off-road bike riding.