Brake put on stunt biker; Man admits 63 motoring offences.

Byline: EMMA SNODGRASS

A RECKLESS motorcyclist who taunted police with stunts on a Coventry housing estate has admitted 63 motoring offences.

Terence McGurk, aged 24, of Milverton Road, Wood End, also pleaded guilty to a further charge of harassment at Coventry Magistrates Court.

McGurk - who claimed police were carrying out a campaign of harassment against him - was caught nine times between February and May this year.

The charges included driving without due care, without a helmet, without insurance or a test certificate and using illegal number plates.

The court heard how McGurk "baited" police officers by deliberately performing stunts on his Kawasaki off-road 198cc motorbike in Wood End, Henley Green and Bell Green.

Iain Mutch, prosecuting, told how McGurk performed wheelies in front of two officers queuing in traffic in Roseberry Avenue, Bell Green, on February 4 and then waited for them to chase him through Bell Green.

On February 10, McGurk was seen in Lapworth Road, Wood End, where he performed a "donut" by spinning his tyres until they melted the road surface in the shape of a circle.

On February 14, he tailgated two officers and performed a wheelie in front of them in Deedmore Road, Wood End.

Mr Mutch said: "The manner in which this was done led the officers to believe they were meant to engage him in a race."

The police did not chase him.

On September 15, while in police custody, McGurk told police officers he would "glass" them with the lightbulb in his cell.

Richard Murray, defending, said McGurk did not agree with all the charges but had pleaded guilty to speed up matters and avoid a trial.

He added: "You will understand there is an underlying issue between Mr McGurk and some police officers.

"He said he receives quite a lot of unwarranted attention and he takes these steps because of the attention and harassment he receives in the Wood End area."

McGurk, who is currently paying off pounds 2,100 of fines to the court, was given a 12-month rehabilitation order and banned from driving for two years.