Blackpool man crashes moped after passenger sneezes

Connor Johnston, 20, of Overdale Grove, Grange Park, pleaded guilty to careless driving without insurance or a licence and possessing a knuckle duster as an offensive weapon.

He was sentenced to a six months community order with up to 10 days rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service, put on an eight weeks curfew from 8pm to 7am, fined £120 with £85 costs plus £85 victims’ surcharge and had six motoring penalty points given to him by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said police were called to the St Walburgas and Poulton roads roundabout where a man was lying unconscious in the road with a head injury and another man had been seen hiding a moped they had crashed on in some nearby trees on July 30 at 1.30am.

Johnston admitted driving the moped with his brother riding pillion.

Neither were wearing helmets.

When his brother sneezed he lost control.