TWO men who rode motorcycles off road through a standing crop have been sent to prison for 14 days.

Mark Penfold, 28, of Barwick Road, Dover, and Nathan Osborne, 21, of Hardy Road, St Margaret’s, admitted causing damage to the crop and riding off road when they appeared before magistrates at Folkestone.

The men were arrested following Operation Freedown, a large-scale police crackdown on nuisance bikes in February which followed residents’ complaints to Kent County Council.

The operation was named after an area of land near Ringwould Road, Kingsdown, near Deal, where off road riders were causing problems.

After the hearing, chairman of Kent Local Access Forum and KCC Lead Member for Strategic Planning Paulina Stockell said: “By sending these men to prison, the court has sent a strong message that nuisance motorcycling is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

“KCC and Kent Police are taking joint action countywide to curb this menace caused by off-road offenders.”

Rural Project Officer PC Ian Foster of South East Kent Police said: “This is an excellent example of how, by working in partnership with other agencies and the community, we can achieve results. I hope it serves as a warning to others.”

Kent Police are urging members of the public to report nuisance bikes immediately by telephoning 999. In south east Kent, residents can discuss problems on specific areas of land with PC Ian Foster, telephone (01304) 218130.