TWO anti-social off-road bikers fined £500 each have become the first people prosecuted in court in Bradford for a breach of the district's Public Space Protection Order.

Eugene Nelson, 35, and Sam Shephard, 32, were spotted by police riding their bikes on a grass field in Poplars Park Road, Bolton Woods.

The two were riding on the grass creating excessive noise, damaging the field and also causing danger and alarm to dog walkers.

As the district has been under a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) introduced following numerous complaints about off-road bikers causing similar problems, they were handed Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for breaching the order.

Nelson, of Pullan Avenue, and Shephard, of Brow Wood Crescent, both Bolton, Bradford, did not pay the £100 each FPNs so Bradford Council instigated a prosecution at Bradford & Keighley Magistrates’ Court.

The case of failing to pay the FPN was proved in their in their absence as neither defendant turned up. They were each fined £500 with £350 costs and £50 Victim Surcharge.

A council spokesman confirmed it has issued 43 £100 FPNs under the initiative.

Councillor Abdul Jabar, the council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “This prosecution has resulted from our positive action to introduce the PSPO which allows us and the police to take action against anti-social motorcycle riders.

“It is a timely reminder to those who act irresponsibly that there will be consequences for their actions and they won’t get away with it as they may have done previously.

“We know the public are fed up to the back teeth with their antics.

“Anti-social riders are a danger to others and themselves and with the help of the public the PSPO gives us a practical deterrent to tackle the problem.”

Chief Superintendent Daniel Greenwood, Bradford Police District Commander, said: “This shows the commitment of the partnership to tackle the anti-social and nuisance motorists who think they can use a motor vehicle illegally.”

“The message is clear, if you drive dangerously, irresponsibly or illegally here in Bradford, not only do we have the powers to take action against you, but we’re also committed to doing so.”

The PSPO to tackle anti-social use of vehicles in the district is the first nationally to cover a whole district area.

It followed a significant consultation and evidence that supported the PSPO.

The PSPO covers a wider variety of anti-social vehicle use including causing harassment or alarm by excessive noise, danger to other road users (including pedestrians), damage or risk of damage to private property.

Others include shouting or swearing at, or abusing, threatening or otherwise intimidating (including by the use of sexual language or making sexual suggestions) another person. Any public nuisance to another person is also featured.

Anyone wanting more information should contact Bradford Council’s at bradford.gov.uk