A BANNED driver seen riding a motorcycle challenged police to catch him.

Burnley magistrates heard how Kevin David Hankey, 21, was pushing the bike as a police officer stood in his front garden.

Hankey, of Midland Street, Nelson, was sentenced to 240 hours community service, banned from driving for two years and must pay £55 costs, after admitting driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Claire Fanning, prosecuting, said Hankey rode the cycle towards a police officer and then turned round, about 15 metres away from him.

The officer knew the defendant was banned and went to his home. As he stood in Hankey's garden, the defendant arrived, pushing the bike.

Hankey said he had bought the bike about a week before, for off-road use. He denied riding the motorbike that afternoon and told the officer: "You will have to catch me first."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.