No helmet and toddler on tank

Police have released footage of a man riding an off-road bike with a no helmet and his toddler son sitting on the petrol tank.

Ryan Ward was filmed riding on roads and footpaths by a police helicopter in Harpurhey, Manchester.

He admitted child cruelty, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified in April but the film was only released yesterday after he returned to Crown Court to plead guilty to an unconnected offence of possessing a shotgun.

PC Andy Moore said: “Ward was riding without regard for himself but more importantly the public and his young son.

“He showed a blatant disregard for the rules of the road and has rightly been sentenced for his foolish and reckless actions.”

Inspector Ruth Bradley-Holt said: “Off-road motorbikes are a real nuisance to the police and local residents.

“Ward broke the law by riding an off road bike in a public place but to compound matters the manner of his driving was appalling and he put the local community and even his own child at risk.

“We work very hard to address the concerns of local residents and that includes clamping down hard on those who misuse off road bikes and just last week we seized three vehicles that were being used illegally.”