'You can take my freedom, but you'll never take my R6'

A motorcyclist chose to go to jail rather than give up his R6.

Dean Houilbecq, 25, from Guernsey, was sentenced to 28 days in prison after failing to hand over the Yamaha in payment of court debts.

He could have won his freedom at any point simply by surrendering the bike to Guernsey’s HM Sheriff but chose instead to serve his time.

The builder had been given until September 24 to find £1,106.01 for debt and compensation orders including £750 for damage caused when he reversed a car into another vehicle.

Instead of handing over the bike as ordered, he said he had given it to a friend. After hearing he’d only managed pay off £20, Judge Russell Finch imposed an immediate custodial sentence but ordered Houilbecq could be released if the debt was paid or the bike surrendered.

Houilbecq joked to MCN: “I told the court they could have my Mrs but they couldn’t take my wife.”

For more on this, get MCN, on sale October 28.