POLICE have welcomed the sentencing of an 18-year-old man who rode an off-road motorbike dangerously near to a secondary school while children were leaving for the day.

Nathan Halliwell, of Brookway Lane, Parr, admitted to a charge of driving a motor vehicle dangerously.

Halliwell rode the bike near to St Cuthbert's School on Berrys Lane on Friday, November 10 last year, which was seen travelling on and off the pavement.

He also pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates' Court to riding the bike without a licence, without insurance and without wearing a helmet.

Halliwell was disqualified from driving for 12 months and issued with a community order for 150 hours unpaid work.

He was also fined £85 for costs and given an £85 victim surcharge.

A statement from St Helens Police said: "We welcome the sentencing of Nathan Halliwell.

"This offence occurred outside St Cuthbert's Catholic High School (on) Berrys Lane.

"Halliwell was seen by a police officer riding a scrambler bike dangerously on the road while schoolchildren were leaving for the day.

"The bike was seen to be riding on and off the pavement. The police officer was able to identify Halliwell and he was charged with the offence."