A pedicab rider has been jailed for breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) just three days after it was issued against him.
Juris Briedis, 21, was initially given a five-year CBO and a conditional discharge for 12 months on Thursday, January 7, after he was found guilty of failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice.
He was given the notice for obstructing the highway after he repeatedly used his pedicab in an anti-social manner.
The CBO was handed to down to Briedis and four other drivers who also appeared in court alongside him: Kristaps Lapins, 21, of Wells House Road, NW10; Elvis Bergins, 21, of Edgware Road, W2; Elviss Krauklis, 23, Edgware Road, W2; and Ivo Laskovs, 25, of Clarendon Court, NW2.
All five men were made subject to the same conditions for five years, which banned them from riding a pedicab in the W1, SW1, W2 and WC2 postcode areas.
However, Briedis was arrested just three days later when officers on patrol in Bird Street spotted him within the area he was banned from riding in.
The pedicab driver attempted to run away, but he was caught and detained by police.
Briedis of Edgware Road, W2 was found guilty of contravening the order and sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Inspector Guy Ellwood, of the Met’s Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street team, said: "These results demonstrate our commitment to tackling the anti-social and criminal behaviour of some pedicab riders in Westminster.
“This should send a clear message to riders who persistently engage in disruptive, criminal and anti-social activity that they will face significant consequences."
Steve Burton, TfL’s Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, added: "We work closely with the police and officers from Westminster to stop Pedicabs from being an anti-social menace in central London, so this sentencing is welcome news.
"We will continue to support the officers on the ground, and push for the toughest penalties, while continuing to lobby Government over the legislation of Pedicabs in the Capital."
Steven Medway, Managing Director Trading Environment, New West End Company, said he was pleased with the conviction.
He said: "We are dedicated to maintaining a safe and welcoming destination for our millions of shoppers here in the West End.
"Anyone who is prepared to behave in a way that breaks the law and detracts from people’s enjoyment of the area has no place on our streets, and we welcome the news that the Metropolitan Police are having such success in tackling these offences."
