Uninsured Wrexham e-scooter user handed six points after riding on pavement

Lucas Dos-Santos, of Nelson Street, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 21-year-old admitted that on July 31 he used an e-scooter in Regent Street without insurance.

Diane Williams, prosecuting, told the court that on the afternoon of the offence, officers had been called to an incident near Primark in Wrexham town centre.

They noted Dos-Santos riding the e-scooter between pedestrians on the pavement, witnessing "several near misses."

He was stopped and identified, before being told he was not able to ride the vehicle in a public place.

He was "unhappy" with the advice and admitted to the police he had no insurance.

But when he was told it would have to be seized, he immediately pulled away and said it wasn't his before riding off - on the pavement, in and out of pedestrians again.

Dos-Santos, who defended himself at the hearing, told the court he didn't know the laws surrounding the use of e-scooters; namely that is is illegal to use one in a public place in North Wales, as well as using one without insurance.

But he was told that did not give him a defence.

He received six points on his driving license and was ordered to pay a £120 fine as well as a £34 victim surcharge and prosecution costs of £85.

The hearing comes after a concentrated campaign by North Wales Police in Wrexham to raise awareness of e-scooter law.

Wrexham Town Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant David Smith recently warned parents about the dangers of allowing children to use the vehicles and called on people of all ages to make sure they are familiar with the rules before they buy one.

He said: "We ran a high profile campaign and we have worked with local businesses to raise awareness around the legislation.

"Ignorance of the law is not a defence and hopefully this will send a clear message; if people are buying these they should only be used on private land and with the landowner's consent."