A man who rode a moped down a pedestrianised North East shopping street before going inside a shop has been put behind bars.

Reckless Kavan Conroy was caught on CCTV riding down the pavement on  Northumberland Street and Blackett Street in Newcastle before going into JD Sports.

Conroy, 21, had no helmet on and no licence plate on the moped at the time.

Following the incident on March 21, Northumbria Police immediately launched an investigation into Conroy, with a trawl of CCTV identifying him.

The Northern Echo: Kavan Conroy Kavan Conroy (Image: Contributor)After verbally abusing two police officers at Eldon Square, Conroy, who has previous convictions for theft and criminal damage, kicked an officer in the face while he was in a police van.

Conroy, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, threatening behaviour, having no insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and assaulting an emergency worker.

At Newcastle Crown Court on Friday (May 10), he was jailed for 11 months and also banned from driving.

Following Conroy’s sentencing, Area Commander for Newcastle Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce, of Northumbria Police, said: “Conroy’s actions were disgraceful on the day he carried out these offences and he is now rightly behind bars.

“He showed a complete disregard for the safety and welfare of others by riding a moped down a pedestrian area before going on to assault one our officers.

“It was extremely fortunate that someone was not seriously injured by Conroy and he now has time in prison to reflect on his actions.”

Get more from The Northern Echo and stay informed with subscription. Our special offer for May is £3 for 3 months or 30 per cent off an annual subscription at £55. Click here to find out more.

Conroy’s sentencing comes following the launch of the Newcastle City Safe partnership earlier this month.

Based at the City Library site, the new multi-agency initiative sees Northumbria Police, business improvement district NE1 and Newcastle City Council working together, with the aim of making Newcastle an even better place to live, work and visit.

The team is made up of police officers who will take an enforcement role, NE1 Street Rangers who work with businesses including retailers and the public to identify key issues, and focussed deterrence workers who will work with young people.

Chief Supt Joisce added: “I hope that Conroy’s sentencing serves as a warning to anyone intent on coming into Newcastle city centre to commit crime: We will find you and you will be brought to justice.

“No-one, whether that is people working in businesses in the city, visitors or locals, should have to tolerate the type of offending Conroy carried out on March 21.

“Through City Safe, we will continue to target offenders, help the vulnerable and identify any issues to deal with for the benefit of the community.”

Most read:

Tariq Albassam, Director of Operations at NE1 Ltd said: “Our new partnership has given us the tools and the collective will to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the city quickly and effectively, as seen in this case. 

“Working together we can act rapidly targeting resources where and when they are needed.

“Thanks to the newly created CCTV Operator role, paid for by NE1 as part of City Safe, we were able to trawl CCTV footage and track the offender’s movements which helped build the case against him and lead to the successful conviction.”

The Northern Echo: Cllr Paula Maines, cabinet member for a 'Resilient City' at Newcastle City Council, said: “Conroy’s actions were completely unacceptable and we won’t tolerate this sort of reckless behaviour in our city.

“The City Safe Project is a brilliant initiative which aims to stamp out this type of anti-social behaviour and helps us build on the extensive work we already do to keep our communities safe.

“We are committed to working with partners to make sure Newcastle remains an attractive, safe and welcoming city where families and businesses can thrive.”