A driver who ‘performed’ doughnuts near a 40-strong crowd has narrowly escaped prison.
20-year-old Jack O’Shaughnessy pleaded guilty to dangerous driving when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (Wednesday).
Prosecutor Pauline Lambert said the defendant, of Lambrok Road, Trowbridge, was stopped by police after they heard the sound of screeching tyres on 13 December last year.
On investigation, officers witnessed a black BMW 3 Series Compact doing doughnuts surrounded by approximately 40 people on Hawksworth Industrial Estate in Swindon.
Defending, Mark Glendenning said his client was “out of the way” and claimed that police had closed down numerous car meets – pushing the group out to industrial estates.
He said O’Shaughnessy – a bin collector who lives with his mother – accepts “driving dangerously and stupidly” in his 2004-plate car, which is worth £1,000.
District Judge Joanna Dickens told him that there were “incredible dangers” associated with driving in that manner.
“At car meets, some are legal some are illegal, and people are exposed to huge danger. It may seem like a teenage or young person bit of fun, but people can die.
“You’ve got people around, it’s literally a recipe for a disaster. You’re creating a huge risk to others there, it’s all part of the thrill of it, but it’s not fun if somebody dies.
She imposed an eight-week prison sentence suspended for one year along with 100 hours of unpaid work. He must pay £85 costs and a £154 surcharge.
Ms Dickens also disqualified him from driving for one year, with a requirement to take an extended test to gain his licence back after that period.
“It’s a really big punishment for you”, she added.
