Teenager sentenced for series of moped offences in Wembley

A 17-year-old boy was sentenced to an eight month Detention and Training Order at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 16 August.

He was also disqualified from driving for 28 months and was ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge..

He previously pleaded guilty at the same court on Friday, 6 July to 14 motor offences, including theft of a moped.

The charges relate to a spate of offences in Wembley on two separate occasions in May.

The court heard how at about 13:45hrs on Tuesday, 22 May approximately three males were seen stealing a moped in St John’s Road, Wembley.

Officers attended the area and identified a group of three males gathered around a moped in Acacia Avenue.

When they saw officers approach, the 17-year-old defendant mounted the moped and drove directly towards officers.

He attempted to evade capture by mounting the pavement but officers managed to intercept and stop the vehicle.

Despite efforts to escape on foot, he was detained and arrested by officers on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

Upon searching the male, screwdrivers and fuses from a moped were found in his bag. He was further arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal.

Whilst in police custody, officers linked the teen to a moped theft in East Lane that had previously been reported to police on Tuesday, 1 May.

CCTV enquiries identified that he had driven the stolen moped on numerous occasions without a license or mandatory protective equipment.

He was charged with 14 motor offences on Wednesday, 20 June.

PC Jake Bhanji, who led the investigation, said: “The defendant is a prolific moped offender who despite attempting to evade police on numerous occasions has now been brought to justice for his actions.

“Despite having no licence or insurance, he continued to target innocent people’s mopeds and posed a danger not only to himself, but to residents of the local community.

“I hope today’s sentencing reminds moped thieves of the Met’s tireless commitment to tackling this type of criminality.”