A learner driver who fled police with a U-turn on his motorcycle after being pulled over won’t be driving for six months after pleading guilty to careless driving.
Mojtaba Alipour, 23, was initially charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance, flight from police and wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
On March 11, he pleaded guilty in Vancouver Provincial Court to driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, a less but included charge with dangerous operation of a conveyance.
Crown prosecutor Louise Gauld told Judge Nancy Adams that police saw a motorcycle moving eastbound on East Hastings Jan. 2 “well above the posted speed limit of 30 kilometres an hour.”
Gauld said the motorcycle was doing at least 70 km/h and later 90 km/h when police caught up to it.
Gauld said the motorcycle stopped for the light at East Hastings and Clark Drive and turned right.
Police put their lights on and the motorcycle pulled over.
However, as the police officers got out of their vehicle, the motorcycle accelerated and did a U-turn back to East Hastings.
Police also did a U-turn and said on the radio that the person on the bike was arrestable.
There was a struggle with police when Alipour was stopped as he was on the ground as officers tried to get handcuffs on him.
Alipour, who has permanent resident status after moving to Canada from Iran, has a record of driving offences including speeding and not displaying his “L” sticker.
Gauld said Alipour has yet to realize driving is a privilege and not a right.
In addition to the driving prohibition and a $300 fine, Adams gave Alipour a warning.
“You’re on the radar,” she said. “You’re going to have to learn to comply if you want to continue driving.”
Alipour’s lawyer said his client got scared when he was pulled over.
“He didn’t mean for the situation to escalate.”
