Rappers fined for filming video near polling booth

Two rappers have been fined after they filmed a "disruptive" music video near a polling station on election day.

Jake Deakin and Kalum Hussain Williamson recorded themselves rapping WRM (Rippin It Up) - a song about life on the West Royd Estate in Shipley - on 2 May.

They were joined by a group of balaclava-clad young people riding quad and off-road bikes on West Royd Drive.

The filming took place on the same day as local elections and Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court heard voters felt intimidated by the scenes while heading to the nearby polling station.

The pair told magistrates they only had good intentions and had no idea they were filming on election day.

However, Deakin, 26, of West Royd Terrace, and Williamson, 27, of West Royd Drive, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a public space protection order.

The court heard the men had organised a meeting of vehicles that caused "excessive noise, danger and risk of damage".

The charge added the activity had "disrupted pedestrian and vehicular traffic to and from an election polling booth on election day".

The video, which has amassed more than 61,000 views on YouTube, features several motorbike stunts which police found had damaged the ground.

Mr Rice, prosecuting the case on behalf of Bradford Council, said: "On 29 April police became aware of a social media post that a video was going to be recorded in the West Royd estate in Shipley.

"On 2 May it was the local and mayoral elections, and police received complaints from election officials of anti-social use of motorbikes and quads near West Royd Crescent."

After a social media investigation, officers found registration plates of the vehicles involved in the video and identified the defendants.

Mr Rice added: "People wanting to vote in the local election found it difficult to get to the polling station.

"One couple said they arrived, saw what was happening and turned round to go back home."

Erica Topham, representing Williamson, said: "My client was trying to do good within that area.

"Police were aware of this filming prior to the event taking place and did nothing.

"These two lads decided to make a music video, and when the youngsters from the estate found out about what was going on they all wanted to get involved."

She added the video was meant to divert children on the estate away from crime but it had "gone wrong" in this instance.

Neighbours on the street had thought the idea was "fabulous" when Deakin and Williamson approached them for permission, she said.

Mr Zulfikar, representing Deakin, added the pair had posted the next day that they would clean up the roads.

Magistrates fined the men £120 each, and they will also have to pay a £48 surcharge and £200 costs to Bradford Council.

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