A TEENAGER rode a motorbike without a licence and insurance and fled on foot after he crashed it into a car, a court heard.

Prosecutor Ann Darwin told Newton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday that police found 18-year-old Calam Currie hiding up a tree following the crash near the junction of Woodland Road and Stanhope Road in Darlington on June 7.

Mrs Darwin said that Currie, who was carrying a pillion passenger at the time, failed to brake when the car in front of him slowed down for traffic, causing him to crash into the back of it and fall off.

In court he admitted driving with no insurance or licence and failing to stop after an accident.

Mitigating, Graham Hunsley said Currie had not had the bike for very long and was on his way to swap it for a road legal one which he could then learn to pass his test on.

He said the youngster had “put the cart before the horse” in buying a motorbike before he had a licence.

Addressing the magistrates, Mr Hunsley added: “He accepts that your decision is probably going to put back his ability to obtain a provisional licence and take a test.”

Magistrates gave Currie, of Nickstream Lane, Darlington, a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered that his future licence by endorsed with six penalty points.