E-scooters

A man has been disqualified from driving after he crashed his e-scooter while drunk in the City of London.

Dmitry Gromov, 28, of Commercial Road, Tower Hamlets, was riding an e-scooter while intoxicated, on Friday 31 May 2019, when he crashed into a moped and caused serious injuries to its driver and pillion passenger. E-scooters are illegal to drive in the UK except on private land.

Gromov pleaded guilty to drink-driving and careless driving on Wednesday 18 December 2019 at Westminster Magistrates Court and was disqualified from driving for 16 months. He was also ordered to pay £3,367.96 in compensation to those he had injured.

City of London Police Special Constable William Hamilton said:

“There has recently been a steep rise in the use of electrically powered scooters on public roads. These scooters are currently illegal to ride anywhere, other than on private land.

“Not only did Gromov take the risk of riding an illegal vehicle on the road, he also put himself and others in danger by doing so under the influence of alcohol.

“Gromov will now be disqualified from driving and has had to pay a hefty fine for his carelessness. However, the consequences could have been much worse.”