Thief who sped away on stolen motorcycle must pay £1,585

A thief who stole a motorcycle after he took the Kawasaki bike for a test ride has been spared from a jail sentence.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.Chesterfield magistrates' court.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Tuesday, July 4, how Daniel Robert Irons, 27, had contacted the owners via an eBay advert and stole the bike when he went to look at it at a farm in Youlgreave.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop told a previous hearing on June 29: “Mr Charles Hunter placed an advert on eBay in relation to his son’s trail bike worth £3,000 and there was a response from a male saying he wanted to look at it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The man looked at the bike and asked if it had been raced and was told it hadn’t and it was in a very good condition.

“He asked if he could have a run up and down on the bike and Mr Hunter told him he would let him have a quick ride but the male left and rode off out of sight and never returned.”

Police tracked Irons down by his mobile number, according to Mrs Allsop, which had been given in response to the advert and it was also linked to a motorbike enthusiasts’ website. Irons admitted stealing the bike to police and added that a friend had helped put it in the back of a van and he had sold it on for £700.

Mrs Allsop added Irons has previous convictions including thefts from vehicles, vehicle taking and aggravated vehicle-taking. Irons admitted stealing the Kawasaki KX250F belonging to Theodore Hunter after the offence on February 24. The motorcycle has never been recovered, according to Mrs Allsop.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Defence solicitor John Wilford said Irons, who has mental health issues, has been working with South Yorkshire Housing to get accommodation and aims to complete a plumbing course.

Magistrates sentenced Irons, of Burgoyne Road, Sheffield, to 26 weeks of custody suspended for 18 months with rehabilitation and 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £1,500 compensation and £85 costs.