Driver jailed for Flintshire hit-and-run with motorcyclist

A driver who knocked a motorcyclist off their bike before fleeing “at speed” has been sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Michael Harbourne, 32, of Basildon Close, St Helens, appeared at Mold Crown Court on July 31 charged with dangerous driving following the incident in Connah’s Quay on October 31, 2023.

The court heard that at 3pm, Harbourne was driving a Seat Toledo “erratically” on Mold Road and “dangerously close” to a motorcyclist he was attempting to overtake.

Prosecutor Laura Knightly told the court Harbourne collided with the motorcyclist, knocking him off the bike, before “mounting the kerb” and “driving away at speed”.

Harbourne had 15 previous convictions for 24 offences, “mainly” motoring-related, including driving without insurance in 2017 and two drug driving offences in January 2024 whilst on licence.

Ms Knightly described the incident as a “highly dangerous manoeuvre”.

Defence solicitor Callum Ross acknowledged his client’s convictions “don’t paint the prettiest of pictures” but said Harbourne was a “hardworking” and “family-orientated” man responsible for providing for young children.

Mr Ross said the defendant’s family would “suffer significantly” should he go to prison.

Recorder Anna Price said Harbourne knocked the motorcyclist over “for no reason whatsoever” and it was a “deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road”.

She noted his previous convictions and failure to stop were “serious aggravating factors” and there was “no evidence” of realistic rehabilitation chances, as he had “failed to comply” with probation previously.

“The only appropriate sentence was that of immediate custody,” Recorder Price said.

Harbourne must serve a minimum of five months and was disqualified from driving for 45 months. He must also take a driving re-test and will be under supervision for a year upon release.