Man who crashed motorbike into PSNI patrol investigating knife fight avoids jail

Man who crashed motorbike into PSNI patrol investigating knife fight avoids jail A court heard as 47-year-old limped from the scene of the crash he allegedly declared “F*** this, I’m out of here” 18:45, 02 Jan 2026 A man who crashed his motorcycle into a police car as officers investigated a suspected knife fight in North Belfast has avoided being sent to jail. Ciaran Gerard Corbett, 47, became trapped under the bike before tussling with a constable and ripping off his radio equipment. He was given a four-month suspended sentence and fined over the incident in the Etna Drive area on October 20 last year. Corbett, of Whitewell Road in the city , pleaded guilty to careless driving, two assaults on police, obstructing and resisting the officers, and having no motor insurance. Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard the constables encountered him after responding to reports to people fighting in the street with knives. When they arrived at the scene in a PSNI car with the lights flashing and sirens on, one officer got out and requested Corbett stop and get off the Yamaha motorcycle he was riding. “The defendant revved his engine and attempted to take off, crashing directly into the police car,” prosecution counsel said. “The defendant fell and was trapped for a short time under the motorbike.” Corbett then got back onto his feet and tried to escape, the court heard. As he limped at the scene of the crash he allegedly declared “F*** this, I’m out of here” and began to run along Etna Drive. He was pursued and caught, but wrestled with one of the officers, clenched a fist and threatened to knock him out. During the struggle the constable had his radio and body-worn video equipment ripped off. Amid unfounded fears that Corbett may have been carrying a knife, police used pepper spray to detain him. No blades were found on him, and there is no suggestion he was involved in the earlier reported violence. A defence lawyer said Corbett had rushed to the scene after being notified about an attempted stabbing against a member of his family. “There is a separate ongoing case in which his son is the injured party,” she disclosed. “He sought to leave and accepted he did not engage with police in the correct manner, but thankfully there were no injuries to the officers.” Corbett was described as a family man who is looking after a terminally-ill relative and suffers from his own mobility issues. District Judge Natasha Fitzsimons heard he is not suitable for community service due to ill health. Sentencing him to four months custody, suspended for a year, she also imposed financial penalties of £850 in total and a 12-month driving ban. Article continues below Judge Fitzsimons told Corbett: “This is a very serious matter, not only did you end up crashing your motorcycle into a police vehicle, but you then go on to commit assaults on police.” For all the latest news, visit the homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter .