Peter Merrett Wiki
Peter Merrett Biography
Who is Peter Merrett?
Peter Merrett, 39, was driving through the Longbenton area of Newcastle on his way to work last September when he spotted the missing bike and decided to go after it.But he hit a wall before accidentally crashing into the rear of the bike, damaging his own car during the chase, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Merrett, from North Tyneside, admitted in an interview before pleading guilty to dangerous driving.
Mr. Registrar Geoffrey Pritchard sentenced Merrett, who has five prior convictions for 11 offences, to four months behind bars, suspended for 18 months.
Missing
Peter Merrett, 39, was driving through the Longbenton area of Newcastle on her way to work last September when she spotted the missing bike and decided to go after it.
The judge told him: ‘You are not formally of good character, however, you are sentenced lightly. It is clear that the driving did not take into account the safety of the public in a residential area.
The crime is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified. That sentence, however, can be suspended.’
Merrett has also been banned from driving for 18 months and must pass a new extended test as well as complete 40 days of rehab.
Prosecutor Jenny Haigh had told the court: ‘Mr. Merrett’s son’s motorcycle had been stolen during the day of 9/11.
He had contacted the police. It wasn’t the first time a motorcycle had been taken and recovered in the Longbenton area.
‘The defendant decided to go through that area on his way to work and saw the motorcycle.
‘He passed the motorcycle and the defendant was driving what appears to be exceeding the speed limit. Before the collision he hit a wall.
Interview
Errett, from North Tyneside, admitted in an interview before pleading guilty to dangerous driving
Ms Haigh told the court that a member of the public who had witnessed what happened called the police.
Mitigating Jennifer Coxon told the court: ‘Mr. Merrett fully accepts his wrongdoing. He accepts on that day that he saw red. It was not the first time that his son’s motorcycle had been stolen.
He decided to stop by that area on his way to work to see if he could find it, and of course he did. He accepts that he took matters into his own hands and that he shouldn’t have.
‘Mr Merrett is a hard-working family man, he currently resides alone with his three-year-old daughter. The probation service considers him to be at low risk for recidivism. He takes responsibility wholeheartedly.
