A motorcyclist is to be sentenced next month after previously admitting charges of dangerous driving and having no insurance.

Stephen Burridge pleaded guilty to both charges when he appeared before magistrates in County Durham on Friday June 23.

The case was sent to Durham Crown Court to be sentenced, at a hearing listed for today (Friday July 21).

But when the case was called into court for the scheduled sentencing hearing the 42-year-old defendant, of Trimdon Station, County Durham, was not present.

Read more: Easington man jailed for two dangerous driving offences in Peterlee

As his counsel, David Ward, had no explanation for his absence at that stage, a bench warrant was issued by Recorder Andrew Dallas for the defendant’s arrest.

About an hour later, however, following the defendant’s arrival at court, the case was called into court and Recorder Dallas withdrew the warrant for his arrest.

The case was adjourned, however, and is now to be sentenced by Recorder Dallas when he is sitting at Teesside Crown Court, next month.

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Burridge is said to have ridden a Kawasaki Ninja machine in a dangerous manner on “various roads”, including Burnhope Way, Peterlee, on Friday March 17, at one stage narrowly avoiding colliding with a heavy goods vehicle.

He was also said to be uninsured to ride the Kawasaki that day.

Recorder Dallas will now pass sentence on Wednesday August 23 and the defendant was bailed to attend at the court in Middlesbrough that day.