Groom’s st a g do gift l a nds him in court

explained to magistrates that Whittaker had been out drinking at the Summer Wine Brewery as a precursor to his stag weekend.

He said: “He was having some drinks and a friend popped out with a mini motorbike.

“I’ve seen kids riding round on them and they’re tiny. It’s got an engine, is powered by petrol and sounds like a hair dryer going off.”

Mr Slawinski said that at the end of drinking session the group headed back to the best man’s house where they were all staying.

But the man who bought him the bike refused to put it back into the boot of his car and the group all left Whittaker behind.

Mr Slawinski said: “Stupidly and foolishly he decided to get on the mini motorbike and set off on it.

“He’s 5ft 9ins and 12 stone so when he came across the crossroads, an oversized grown man on an extremely small bike, it was wobbling and attracted the attention of police and they followed him.

“He stopped outside the best man’s house and the rest is history. He’s completely bemused by the whole thing.

“This is a very unusual incident, he’s made a foolish and silly mistake and he apologises to everybody.”

Magistrates were told that a ban from driving would have a ‘monumental affect’ on Whittaker’s job as a selfemployed joiner.

They banned Whittaker, of Burnley Road in Sowerby Bridge, from driving for 12 months.

He will have to pay £500 fine plus £85 court costs and £50 victim surcharge.