Man jailed for carrying knife and evading police in the City

A man who tried to evade police after a routine vehicle stop has been sentenced to 21 weeks in prison for possession of a bladed article.

On 31 October 2024, uniformed officers from the Cycle Team were out on patrol when they stopped Joseph Ayorinde, 25, of Forest Road, Edmonton, in a vehicle which smelt strongly of cannabis, on Warrick Lane in the City of London.

The officers stopped the vehicle and before a search could be carried out, Ayorinde drove off at speed with the door still open.

He was spotted on Carter Lane driving at high speed and dangerously overtaking vehicles on the wrong side of the road.

Within five minutes of him fleeing from the officers, Ayorinde was apprehended by officers from the Tactical Firearms Group. A lock-knife was found during a search.

Police Constable David Parker, at the City of London Police Cycle Team, said:

“Within five minutes of us making the call in that Ayorinde had fled from police, the firearms team were quickly at the scene to apprehend him. It was also due to our extensive camera network in the City, which helped us pinpoint the location of Ayorinde, leading to the quick arrest.

“Joseph Ayorinde could have posed a risk to the public with his dangerous driving after fleeing from the police.

“Our proactive work into his arrest and sentencing means that there is now one fewer knives on the street and one fewer uninsured drivers on the road.”

Ayorinde was found guilty of driving with no insurance and has been given eight points on his licence and possession of Class B Drug