Motorbike thief jailed after fleeing police at up to 60mph through Brighton and Hove

A man has been jailed for four months after stealing a motorcycle in Hove.

Jack Coomber, 21, unemployed, of Zion Gardens, Brighton, has been sent to prison for 16 weeks and disqualified from driving.

He was charged with aggravated vehicle taking, riding with no insurance and no licence and having cannabis, a class B drug.

He pleaded guilty to all the offences at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 28 August.

Sussex Police said that the force received reports of a man acting suspiciously by a motorbike in Church Road, Hove, at about 3.50am on Wednesday 27 August. When approached by officers, he fled.

He was then seen again riding a scooter along the seafront from Hove towards Brighton. Police officers followed, believing the scooter to be stolen.

Coomber failed to stop and drove off at high speed, jumping red lights. He then crashed into railings near the bottom on West Street, Brighton, where he ran but was arrested.

Response investigation supervisor Matt Duffell said: “Coomber has been jailed for the seriousness of his offences, which involved driving at more than 60mph in residential areas.

“Thankfully no one was hurt but his behaviour was unacceptable.”