Motors in sales dive
Teen blasted over risky race
DEMAND for new cars fell by 34.9% last month.
Only 145,377 new vehicles were registered in June compared with 223,421 a year ago, according to UK motor industry data.
A BOY racer who allowed his friends to “surf” on top of a car has been banned for a year.
Lee O’brien, who was just 17 at the time, was among dozens of drivers who met up on an industrial estate for an illegal racing event.
He was identified as being behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta, racing it up and down. He also allowed his pals to ride on the bonnet and the roof.
Order
O’brien then took his turn and was seen standing on the top of the car as it was driven along before balancing on the bonnet and the windscreen.
The teenager is the final member of the group to be handed a driving ban as a result of the racing in Clacton, Essex.
O’brien, now 18, of Clacton, was convicted of dangerous driving, aiding and abetting dangerous driving, illegal racing and driving without insurance.
Some 20 drivers have already handed driving bans totalling been 302 months altogether – more than 25 years. Stephen Shay, prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court, Essex, said of O’brien: “He is a young man who admittedly drove in a stupid fashion.
“He realises how dangerous his behaviour could have been and expresses his remorse.”
O’brien was handed 12 months disqualification from driving with an extended retest being required before he can drive again.
He was also sentenced to a 12-month community order.
Judge Patricia Lynch QC told him: “I am not going to send you to prison, but I hope you understand you have been fortunate.
“The person most at risk of harm in this incident was probably yourself.”
Sgt Simon Willsher said: “It is only luck that nobody was seriously hurt.
“We will not tolerate racing on our roads and I’m glad the courts have reinforced this message.”