Harrogate Man Banned After Dangerous Wheelchair Dragging Stunt Caught on CCTV
A 20-year-old man has been banned from driving after a shocking stunt in Harrogate saw him drag a man in a wheelchair along a busy road. Michael Ward from Walworth Avenue pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after the incident on Cheltenham Parade earlier this year.
Caught on Camera: Wheelchair Hold-On Gone Wrong
In the early hours of 28 January 2017, CCTV recorded Ward speaking to 28-year-old William MacPherson outside the Moko Lounge Bar on Kings Road. Moments later, Ward drove off while MacPherson clung to the back of the car in his wheelchair. The pair lost grip briefly, but Ward stopped, reversed, and MacPherson grabbed hold again.
The dangerous joyride continued, with several stops on Cheltenham Parade and Cheltenham Crescent, before ending outside McDonald’s on Oxford Street.
Sentenced: Fines, Work Orders, and Driving Ban
- Ward was disqualified from driving for 20 months.
- Ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
- Fined £85 plus £85 costs and victim surcharge.
- MacPherson fined £154 and ordered to pay £30 each in costs and surcharge for holding onto a vehicle.
Police Slam ‘Selfish’ Dangerous Driving
“Ward and MacPherson acted selfishly that night,” said PC Rob Roberts of Harrogate’s Road Policing team. “They paid no regard to the safety of other road users or pedestrians and chose to act in a dangerous manner. I hope the sentence teaches them and others that reckless behaviour on our roads will not be tolerated.”
