A TEENAGER seen by police riding an off-road motorbike with a child on the handlebars has appeared in court.

Alan Adamson, 19, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance when he appeared before Darlington Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday, October 10).

Prosecutor Alan Davison said police officers saw Adamson on Newcomen Street, Ferryhill, riding the motorbike without a helmet and with a young boy sat on the handlebars.

The officers did not give chase through concern for the boy’s safety, but spoke to Adamson later and he admitted it was him on the bike.

He also pleaded guilty in court to criminal damage after admitting to smashing a bedroom window following a row with his girlfriend.

Nick Musgrave, mitigating, said Adamson had been interested in buying the motorbike and was taking it for a short ride when he was spotted by the officers.

He also denied that the child was on the handlebars, saying instead he was giving the boy a ‘backer’.

Relating to the criminal damage, Mr Musgrave said Adamson had climbed up to the window because he wanted to make amends with his girlfriend but when he pushed against the glass it broke.

Magistrates sentenced Adamson to a 12-month community order with an eight-week home curfew between 9pm and 7am.

He was also banned from driving for six months and told to pay £195 in court charges and compensation.