Councillor cleared after charge of allowing youngsters to use quad bike without insurance is dropped

Silksworth ward member Phil Tye and co-accused Andrew Laverick were due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates today, Tuesday, June 22.

Coun Tye, of Castlereagh Street, Silksworth, and Mr Laverick, of Bedford Place, Silksworth, were due to answer a charge of permitting multiple persons of age 16 and under to use a motor vehicle at the King George Playing Fields, in Palgrove Road, Pennywell, on Friday, October 22, last year but the charges were discontinued and the cases against the pair dismissed.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Following a full and thorough investigation, a file of evidence was prepared and a case presented to the Crown Prosecution Service against two individuals.

“However, we have since been notified by the CPS that due to evidential difficulties the case has been discontinued and we respect that decision.”

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