Drivers 'used roads as race track'
A judge told two teenage drivers who used Norfolk roads as a race track that their driving had been appalling.Alex Amys, 18, and Thomas Morton, 18, raced each other in their Vauxhall Cavalier cars from Watton to Dereham reaching speeds of 90mph, Norwich Crown Court heard.
A judge told two teenage drivers who used Norfolk roads as a race track that their driving had been appalling.
Alex Amys, 18, and Thomas Morton, 18, raced each other in their Vauxhall Cavalier cars from Watton to Dereham reaching speeds of 90mph, Norwich Crown Court heard.
It was as they were on their way back at Shipdham that Morton lost control at the wheel and his car spun in the road before hitting a car which had two children as passengers. The crash caused £2,800 worth of damage to the other vehicle and Morton's car burst into flames after he and his passengers had escaped safely.
No one was injured in the crash but Judge Peter Jacobs told them that Norfolk roads were already some of the most dangerous in the country. “There are enough dangers on the roads in this county where the death rate is alarmingly high without you making your contribution.”
Amys, of Queensway, Watton, and Morton of The Oaks, Ashill, both admitted dangerous driving. Amys and Luke Richards, 20, of Queensway, Watton, also admitted affray in a separate incident when fighting broke out at a party.
Amys was given 44 weeks youth custody suspended for two years, a two year driving ban and ordered to do 200 hours community punishment and pay £1,000 costs.
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Morton, who the court heard plans to join the army, was given a two year driving ban and ordered to do 200 hours community punishment and £500 costs.
Both men were ordered to take an extended driving test before getting back behind the wheel.
Richard was given seven months youth custody suspended for two years and made to pay £500 costs.
Jonathan Morgans, for Amys, said that at the time of the accident he had been driving at near the 30mph speed limit and had already stopped racing when the crash occurred involving his friend. He said after the accident he had helped prevent things getting worse by directing traffic at the crash scene until police arrived. He said he had since turned his life around and settled down and cut down on his drinking.
William Carter, for Morton, said he had applied to join the army and normally he was a decent well behaved young man.
