Wales News Service
A dad has described how he was left 'almost speechless with anger' after he was stopped by the police and, after a court case, given a drivers' ASBO and six penalty points for giving his toddler son a ride on his quad bike.
James Havard, 35, had taken his £700 bike out on to a lane outside his home in South Wales - not knowing that the police were at the roadside making checks on HGV vehicles.
When James drove past them with 16-month-old Dylan sitting between his legs, they pulled him over and cautioned him for driving without insurance.
The case against him was then heard by a magistrates court at Abergavenny, South Wales, who issued the anti-social use of a vehicle order and the penalty points.
Speaking to his local paper, outraged Mr Havard said he did not think he was doing any harm as the road was deserted.
"I bought the quad bike for Dylan when he's a bit older – but I couldn't wait to give it a try," he said. "I was almost speechless with anger when the police pulled us over – surely the police have got bigger crimes to solve than harassing a man taking his kid for ride."
Mr Havard insisted he was a 'law-abiding citizen having a bit of fun with his son'.
"I was just taking him for a short spin – the road is so quiet that I didn't think I was doing any harm. I couldn't believe it when I was told I was breaking the law. And to get an ASBO as well was rubbing salt in the wound."
Do you think penalty points AND an ASBO is a bit heavy-handed - or were the risks to Dylan's safety high enough to warrant a harsh punishment?