Police have released CCTV footage of the moment a motorbike rider is rammed into a parked van, in an attempt to find the driver.
The incident happened in Victoria Road, Pinxton in Derbyshire and left rider Ashley Wood, 29, lying unconscious in the road with serious injuries.
The car, a distinctive bright orange Fiat Punto, drove off and was later found burnt out in a layby.
Derbyshire Police have issued the footage as part of an ongoing investigation to try and identify the driver and occupants of the Punto.
The appeal comes after Wood was sentenced yesterday, Thursday April 4, for a series of offences that took place in the minutes prior to the collision.
Wood had himself embarked on a spree of criminal damage – trying to kick car wing mirrors and speeding along pavements, the investigation confirmed.
The Talbot Street resident was over the drink-drive limit at the time and also under the influence of drugs when he raced across the town on his uninsured mini-motorbike.
CCTV also captured Wood kicking out at wing mirrors or parked cars – and on one clip can be seen to strike the mirror of a Nissan Qashqai.
Wood spent a week in hospital with his injuries from the collision, before eventually being charged with dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and driving without a licence or insurance.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, April 4. He also received a 12-month driving ban.
Detective Sergeant Scott Riley, from Derbyshire Constabulary’s collision investigation unit, said: “Ashley Wood decided one morning that he was going to ride around on a mini motorbike, kicking the wing mirrors of cars parked across Pinxton.
“It’s clear from the CCTV footage that he had no regard for other people’s property, or indeed for other people’s safety.
"He rides at speed along pavements and, during the course of our investigations, we discovered he was riding under the influence of drink and drugs.
“The consequences could have been much worse. I’m pleased that he’s now been sentenced for his reckless actions and I hope this sends a clear message that we won’t tolerate behaviour like this on the streets of Derbyshire.
“However, there is a twist to this story. Shortly after he rode around kicking cars, Ashley Wood was pursued by an orange Fiat Punto.
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“CCTV shows the car following him along Victoria Road before ramming him head-on into a parked van.
“The Punto was driven off, leaving Ashley at the scene with a number of extremely serious, but thankfully not life-threatening, injuries.
“We believe that this was a deliberate act, but we still do not know who was driving the Punto.
“Our investigation into that incident is still ongoing and I urge anyone who has information on the person or people responsible to ring us.”
If you have any information regarding the incident, get in touch quoting the reference number 18000276164 using one of the following non-emergency contact methods:
- Facebook – send a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
- Twitter – direct message contact centre on @DerPolContact
- Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
- Phone – call 101.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.
Please quote the reference number 18000276164 in any correspondence.
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