A moped rider has branded himself ‘stupid’ for running away from police after being requested to take a roadside breath test.

Hayden Sheriff ran away from officers after they pulled him over for carrying a pillion passenger without a helmet.

Police had lost sight of the 24-year-old’s bike after following it along Regent Street at about 1.15am on July 9.

They soon relocated the vehicle, which had been dismounted by the fleeing pair.

Sheriff, of Birch Road, Onehouse, obeyed an order to stop running but declined to give details about his missing passenger.

Unsteady on his feet and slurring his words, Sheriff confirmed he had consumed alcohol, but then ran away when police explained ensuing procedures.

When tracked down by his registration number, Sheriff told police his passenger had been a drunk stranger who had stepped in front of his bike and had accepted his offer of a lift.

Sheriff told police he panicked and ran, but not because he was asked to provide a sample of breath for an alcohol level test.

At South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court, in Ipswich, on Monday, he admitted obstructing or resisting a police constable in the execution of their duty; failing to cooperate with a preliminary roadside breath test; and riding a Piaggio New Skipper without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with his provisional licence.

Sheriff told magistrates he had been going through a hard time following the break-up of a relationship, and the loss of a job and accommodation, but that he had since found employment and another place to live.

“I made a stupid mistake,” he added.

“I put my own life and the lives of other people at risk.

“I wish I could take it back, but I can’t.”

A bench of three magistrates decided to fine him £100 for obstructing a constable, £100 for failing to cooperate with a preliminary test; £100 for riding otherwise than in accordance with his licence; and £150 for riding without insurance – an offence for which he also received six penalty points.

Sheriff was also ordered to pay £85 to cover the cost of prosecution and a mandatory £30 fee towards victim support services.