E-bike row lands man with fine and restraining order

Wednesday 21 August 2024

A 36-year-old man who threatened to knock another man's teeth out because he felt "scammed" over the purchase of an e-bike – then later resisted arrest – has been fined £200.

Daniel Richard Johnson had bought the bike from the man as a present for his son – but the Magistrate's Court heard that he felt he had been conned when he found the batteries it required were apparently unavailable.

Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam, prosecuting, said Johnson had made the threats online and tried to find out where the other man worked.

When police came to his home, he resisted arrest.

Advocate Paul Nicholls, defending, explained: “He was told it would be easy to source a battery. That was simply wrong.

“He was unable to source a battery anywhere and he wanted his money back. He felt he had been scammed.”

Pictured: The case was heard in the Magistrate's Court.

He added that Johnson felt the police had been too heavy-handed when they arrested him, taking him to the ground in full view of his family and neighbours.

“He thought it was unnecessary and he felt humiliated.”

But he added: “He takes full responsibility for his actions. He accepts that the messages were threatening in nature.”

Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke told Johnson: “It is never appropriate to resist the police.”

As well as the fine, Johnson was bound over 18 months and given a restraining order, forbidding him from having any contact with the man for two years.

But the Assistant Magistrate accepted the actions had taken place during “a moment of madness” when he was under a lot of stress. He allowed him to pay the fine at a rate of £50 per month.