A pair of brothers have been handed sentences after they tried to flee police on stolen motorcycles in February 2023.
Sentencing for 21-year-old Josh Bowler, of Lydia Gardens, Eastwood, took place on 5 January 2024 at Nottingham Crown Court. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years. Bowler was also banned from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months and ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
Credit: Nottinghamshire Police/YouTube
This came months after the 19-year-old Mark Bowler, of Gladstone Street, Heanor, was sentenced at the same court on 29 September 2023 to 12 months in prison, suspended by 18 months, and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and 11 days of rehabilitation activity. Bowler was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months.
The incident that led to their respective sentencing occurred almost one year ago now, on 8 February 2023, when Nottinghamshire Police tracked a stolen motorcycle to a location near Broxtowe Country Park. When police arrived at the stolen bike’s location, they spotted two riders - Mark and Josh Bowler - and an additional bike, which had been taken from Bestwood on 14 January 2023.
The pair tried to flee on the stolen motorcycles, riding “in a dangerous manner,” Nottingham Police says, and on the wrong side of the road towards oncoming traffic.
When the older brother, Josh, tried to ditch his bike and hop on the back of the one his brother was riding, police caught them, knocked the bike down and sent them tumbling into the grass beside the road. Both men were eventually detained.
Inspector Declan Bourne, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The level of riding demonstrated by both Bowler brothers was incredibly dangerous and put other road users at risk.
“It is only thanks to some luck and the skilled driving of the officers in pursuit that there weren't any injuries – including to both riders – during this incident.
“To make matters worse, both of the motorbikes they were riding at the time weren’t theirs and had in fact been stolen by them from the real owners.
“Thefts of this nature can be hugely distressing for the people who lose out and can have a real impact on them – both emotionally and financially.
“We’re pleased to see that Josh and Mark Bowler have now appeared in court to be sentenced after owning up to what they did.”
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