AN Ellesmere Port man has admitted riding a child's dirt bike dangerously with a child sat in front of him.

Stephen Davies, 39, of Parklands, Little Sutton, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, July 23 to riding the 110cc Gecko Pit Bike on that road dangerously, and while unlicensed or third party insurance.

Prosecuting, Luke Unsworth said it was on June 29 when police on patrol saw Davies riding the bike, which is built with a weight limit of nine stone, on the road while not wearing a helmet.

A young child was sat in front of Davies, and the vehicle looked overloaded.

Officers then saw Davies sat on the bike in front of a house, then putting a different child in front of him on the bike before riding off.

Police pulled out in their vehicle to block Davies, but he made off, riding at speed on the pavement.

When police caught up with him, he said: "I'm guilty aren't I, I was on the bike when I should not have been."

He had four previous convictions for seven offences, but nothing in the last 19 years and none for driving offences.

Defending, Stephen Ferns said the bike had been purchased for Davies' son and was "far too small" for Davies himself.

Davies had made the "foolish decision" to take the children on a "quick trip".

Mr Ferns said the defence disputed the police statement that at least one child was not wearing a helmet, saying that helmets were on the children when they were on the bike.

There was no suggestion of what speed Davies was travelling at, and it was agreed there was no prolonged police pursuit.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be obtained.

Davies will be sentenced at Chester Magistrates Court on August 13, and was granted unconditional bail. An interim driving ban was imposed.