A 19-year-old was found not guilty of failing to stop for police at Richmond Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Mark Heard, of Cambridge Road, Teddington, denied the offence which was alleged to have taken place on May 2 in Arundel Close, Hampton.

In his defence Heard said he had been arrested in Arundel Close, so how could he have failed to stop for a constable there?

During his trial PC Gary Wait, one of the arresting officers, said he had been on patrol in the Hampton area when he noticed two mopeds travelling along Hampton Hill High Street, which appeared to be racing each other.

In a marked police car he said he followed the two riders and as they reached a set of traffic lights the defendant and the other rider were looking over their shoulders at the police car.

PC Wait then claims the car's sirens and lights were put on. As the lights turned green one rider turned right but the other, the defendant, continued straight on. He was followed.

He turned right into Taylor Close which is a dead end blocked off by bollards and although the moped could get through the police car had to stop.

A description of the rider was put out over the police radio and he was stopped by another officer on Arundel Close.

In his defence Heard said he could not have accelerated away from the police because his bike was limited to 28mph.

He claimed he had not heard the sirens or seen the lights saying he was wearing a crash helmet with a reflective visor and not looking behind him.

He added: "I have no reason to try and run. I have insurance, a driving licence and MOT."

In passing their not guilty verdict, the magistrates said: "There is evidence that you did indeed stop in Arundel Close."

l A 23-year-old woman from Teddington who drove whilst over the limit was banned for 20 months at Richmond Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Alice Brewer of Homsdale Road pleaded guilty to the offence said to have taken place at The Quadrant in Richmond on September 30.

Police stopped the car just after 11.30pm and asked the driver if she could get out of the car, prosecutor Mrs Clutton said.

It was then noticed that her breath smelt of alcohol and a roadside test proved positive.

Speaking in her own defence Brewer said: "I went to a friend's and had a couple of drinks. I got a couple of calls from my Dad to say that my daughter, who is three, was upset and crying and they couldn't console her.

"He said I had to come home so I got in my car to go home. I should not have got in the car but I didn't think I was over the limit."

Brewer was also ordered to pay a fine of £150 and costs of £35.