Isle of Wight drink-driving moped rider crashed into taxi

Michael Elms, 37, of Central Way in Sandown, attended the IW Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 19, and pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop after an accident.

Liz Miller, prosecuting, said police were called to a possible domestic incident in Ryde on April 21, with a male reported to have left the scene on a moped.

Ms Miller told the court police were later informed that Elms had been spotted riding around the town on a Yamaha XC without a helmet on the wrong side of the road and down no-entry routes, with his headlights not switched on.

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Police received further reports that the Yamaha had collided with a taxi on Cross Street, and officers located Elms on Slade Road, where he failed an alcohol breath test, the court heard.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said his client had nothing to do with the original domestic incident call.

Mr Vincent told magistrates there was contact between the moped and the taxi’s side mirror, but Elms stopped at the scene and offered to pay for the damage.

The taxi driver declined, instead calling the police, so Elms got back onto his moped and left.

Magistrates handed Elms a 20-month driving disqualification and endorsed his licence.

Elms must also pay a £300 fine, £120 surcharge and £85 court costs.