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A motorcyclist who dragged a police sergeant across a main road while resisting arrest has been handed a suspended sentence and a driving ban.

Sgt Tom Brookes was on patrol in Bargoed on Tuesday April 8, when he saw Scott Ryall, 21, “pulling wheelies” and riding a green Kawasaki motorbike dangerously along Angel Way.

Gwent Police said officers followed the off-road bike, which stopped at traffic lights on Commercial Street. There, Sgt Brookes got out of his marked police car and approached Ryall, telling him to pull over.

However, as he tried to detain the rider, he accelerated, pulling Sgt Brookes across the road. The bike ended up on the grass opposite the junction before the policeman made the arrest.

Ryall, of Clos Afon Tywi, Blackwood, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Thursday May 29. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.

Sgt Brookes said: “Both the rider and I were extremely fortunate that the road wasn’t busier at the time.

“The defendant shouldn’t have been on the road in the first place, but his reckless and thoughtless riding by pulling wheelies on a main road in a town centre put himself, officers, motorists and pedestrians at risk.”

He continued: “Our neighbourhood team across Caerphilly north will not tolerate the illegal and dangerous use of off-road vehicles and continue to plan proactive operations to keep roads and rural areas safe and remove these vehicles from our streets.”

Ryall was handed a four-month and an eight-month prison sentence, both suspended for 18 months, and banned from driving for 15 months.

He will need to pass an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again, while his motorbike was seized and later crushed.