Quad bike rider who goaded Bradford police is sentenced

Charlie Faulding, 22, was sentenced for a string of offences at Bradford Crown Court on Monday.

This included two separate incidents of careless driving, and one of dangerous driving between June 2021 and April 2023 – all while riding a quad bike.

In one instance, he escaped from police custody while being treated for a leg injury at Bradford Royal Infirmary by asking to be accompanied outside for a cigarette.

In addition, Faulding also admitted physically assaulting a service station worker in a row over having to pay upfront for filling up a Jerry can with fuel.

Greengates Service Station (Image: Google Street View)

Bradford Crown Court heard how this incident took place on January 8, 2023, at Greengates Service Station.

Oliver Connor, prosecuting, said the racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, involved the defendant first verbally abusing and then physically attacking and threatening the worker.

He described how Faulding first pushed the worker, punching him in the head, then kicking him in the chest when he was on the ground.

As he was leaving, he threatened: “I’ll come back and get you and will kill you. I’ll smash every window in here.”

Mr Connor went on to detail the three separate quad bike incidents, beginning with June 2021, when Faulding was spotted by police officers on a red quad bike on Rowantree Drive, Idle.

He did a U-turn and sped off when the police car approached and took a corner so fast, one side of the quad lifted off the ground. He rode across a grassed area, which saw officers abandon their pursuit.

He attempted to goad them by pulling wheelies, the court heard. Faulding was disqualified from driving at the time, although he has never held a full driving licence.

The court also heard about an incident in December 2021, when Faulding was riding a quad bike during a funeral procession from Mary Street caravan site at Bowling Back Lane in Bradford. He blocked pavements and rode on the incorrect side of the road.

The final quad-biking incident took place in April 2023, at Ghyll Beck driving range in Baildon. Again, Faulding was said to be goading police officers, driving laps around them, and at one point he drove towards the officers who had to quickly move out of the way.

As he attempted to reverse the quad bike it became stuck on loose soil and tipped over, trapping his leg beneath one of the tyres.

He was taken by ambulance to Bradford Royal Infirmary, accompanied by two officers. Once there he asked to go outside for a cigarette, and despite his apparent leg injury, got up from his wheelchair and fled. He handed himself into police over two weeks later.

Bradford Royal Infirmary (Image: Newsquest)

In Faulding’s defence, the court was told he suffered from ADHD and anxiety and had been badly affected by his father’s untimely death.

The court heard Faulding, of Barkerend Road, Bradford, had taken on a caring role for his mother and had recently become a first-time father.

He had also been working two jobs in order to support his family.

Faulding became emotional while attempting to read out a letter he had written to the judge, explaining how he had been in “a dark hole” since he lost his dad and that his life had subsequently “become a nightmare”.

“I promise you will never see my face in court again,” he said while pleading for his sentence to be suspended.

Bradford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Faulding was sentenced to 19 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £500 in compensation to his victim.

He was disqualified from driving for four years and was made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order for five years, which effectively bans him from driving a motorbike or quad bike without insurance.

Recorder Christopher Rose said he was giving Faulding one last chance.

In sentencing, he said he had been persuaded to suspend his sentence due to the very strong personal mitigation.

“This really is the last chance saloon,” he added.