A MAN who branded himself one of the best motorbike riders in County Durham was fined after taking a four-year-old for a ride and crashing – leaving the child with serious facial injuries.

Steven Marley admitted riding his off-road motorbike without due care and attention on April 30, when he appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates this week.

The court heard that he had seated the child – who cannot be named for legal reasons – in front of him, without a helmet or other protection, as he rode on land near Eldon Woods, Bishop Auckland.

John Garside, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was riding his off-road motorbike and the child was a passenger on the motorbike, seated in front of the rider.

“While riding the motorbike the defendant has lost control. The child suffered considerable facial injuries from the fall and was admitted to hospital.

“The child was not wearing a helmet or protective clothing as none had been made available to him.

“When Mr Marley was interviewed by police he explained he took the child for a ride and the bike fell over and the child rolled off.

“He was crying and screaming and feeling sorry for the child.

“He had a previous competition history and had been in the top ten riders in County Durham, he told police.”

The bike was believed to have gone over because the front brake was applied too hard as Marley was coming to a stop, the court heard.

Marley, of South Row, Eldon, Bishop Auckland, representing himself, said: “I have always felt as though I was an accomplished rider.

“When the kid asked me to come on I would have been the bad person if I hadn’t let him on.

“But I don’t even want to ride my bikes anymore. It was a stupid mistake. Yes, I should have stuck to the tracks, I know that.”

Marley, 24, who also restores motorbikes, became tearful and added: “It is killing us, I can’t sleep at night or anything. They were irresponsible and stupid actions.

“My bikes are the only thing I have got in life. It is all I have got.”

He said he was run over when he was 12 years old and spent a long time recovering.

But he said: “It has really knocked me back this. It is like my life has just stopped.”

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Marley was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs, a £30 victim surcharge and he had his provisional licence endorsed with five penalty points.