E-scooter drink-rider fined and banned from driving

Kyle Pateman was stopped by police on St John’s Road, Hitchin

A man who drove an e-scooter while under the influence of alcohol has been fined and banned from driving.

Hertfordshire Police stopped Kyle Pateman, 29, of Hine Way, Hitchin, after he was seen riding an e-scooter on St John’s Road at about 02:00 BST on 4 August.

He was arrested, and at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on 19 August he pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving without insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He was banned from driving for 23 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs as well as a £48 victim surcharge.

Sgt Jordan Quicke said: "It remains illegal to use e-scooters on roads, on pavements and in parks in Hertfordshire, and the only place they can be used is on private land and with the landowner's permission.

"They are also classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act, which means legislation relating to drink and drug-driving applies to e-scooters in the same way it does when driving a car."