Drivers banned for racing at Festival Park
TWO men have been banned from driving after racing their cars around a retail park.
Police caught Ryan Cole, aged 21, and 22-year-old Simon Connor speeding along Festival Way, at Festival Park, Etruria.
The pair appeared at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court yesterday after admitting taking part in a race between motor vehicles on a public road.
The court heard two officers on patrol on the night of January 18 had parked in Festival Way when two cars went past.
The first was driven by Cole, of Alma Street in Stone, followed closely by Connor, of Duke Street in Heron Cross.
Zoe Speake, prosecuting, said: "The officers became aware of a Citroen Saxo driving along Festival Way from the direction of the Odeon cinema.
"They noticed it because it accelerated loudly and sharply and was driving at a speed clearly in excess of the 30mph limit.
"It was closely followed by a Renault Clio which was also driving at speed. It was only a few feet away and it appeared they were attempting to race each other.
"Had the Saxo had cause to brake, the Clio wouldn't have had time to stop, and they would have collided.
"The officers stopped the vehicles and the defendants were spoken to.
"Mr Cole was asked what speed he was travelling at and he said it was between 40mph and 50mph. He was asked by the officers if he was racing and he said yes.
"He said he was driving too fast and got carried away because he knew his mate was behind."
The pair were asked in court if they appreciated how dangerous their actions were.
Cole, who works as a delivery driver, said: "Yes. It was stupid."
Connor chose not to say anything.
Both defendants were banned from driving for 12 months – an automatic penalty imposed upon conviction for racing.
Cole was also fined £210, while Connor was ordered to pay £115 – a lower sum because he is unemployed and receiving benefits.
Both have to pay £35 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent City Council are currently working on an application for an injunction banning car enthusiasts from gathering in the city.
Police have carried out a number of operations to tackle so-called 'boy racers' on Festival Park after complaints from residents and businesses.
Inspector Shaun Kerrigan, commander of the city centre neighbourhood policing unit, said: "I welcome this result.
"Our community has identified this area as having an issue with boy racers driving inconsiderately and speeding.
"Festival Way is a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and this was one of many operations we have staged in this area, and will continue to stage, to try to reduce the speed of drivers."
29 Comments
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by kerry, stoke
Saturday, March 21 2009, 11:17AM
“i just think that you people who are slagging off these 2 men should just think before they write! i bet not any 1 of you know any of these lads! and how come the comments of support are not up on here! i know plenty of people have wrote them, and i am one of them. i dont condone what they have done but they at least deserve a bit of dignity! paedophiles dont even get there names in the papers and just because they went 20 mph over speed limit its wrong!”
by L, Stoke
Thursday, March 19 2009, 9:49AM
“I totally agree with Dan, Stoke - How come the young man Ryan, who has said sorry and admitted wrong doing is punished and made an example of. Tell me.... have any of you who are damning this young man ever speeded along, but never been caught or should I say only had points and fines. People in glass houses!! Now if this young man has lost his job because of this, maybe he could pay a lesser fine??? Common sense, eh???????!!!”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, March 19 2009, 8:57AM
“Both get only a years ban, that the minamim for raceing on public roads, how about a bit more. As for the idea of this idel chav scum haveing his clapped out old banger removed and sold to get court cost, yes, if the things still safe to be on the road and not had its tappits thashed out. As for darrel18, just grow up and get a life.”
by D, Meir
Thursday, March 19 2009, 8:54AM
“Well regarding the actual article i would say that in my opinion, if you break the law and you're on benefits...they should be stopped. Maybe that would be some sort of deterant for these morons. Not just these two but ANYONE on benefits. These people have too much time on their hands to cause trouble. But if their benefits were stopped when they do wrong, i bet we'd have a few less crimes to read about. But obviously the government don't share the same opinion and keep giving these people money!!”
by H, Newcastle
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 7:49PM
“"so the excuse we dont drink doesn't wash."
Anthony, if you read my comment properly, you will understand that the majority of young people do not drink lager in cars.
I am only 21 myself and I am tired of arrogant people judging all young drivers, accusing us of all sorts!”
by Anthony, Mount Pleasant
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 6:50PM
“I work on Festival Way and some of the driving is utterly ridiculous. How someone has not been killed I do not know. After dark I have regularly seen "car enthusiasts" doing in excess of 80-100mph along Festival Way. Also some of the female staff are afraid to go to Mcdonalds or Morrissons for their meal break as they are scared of being hounded and abused by some of the losers that congregate.
As for not going to the pub well it is a regular occurence to see a car full of baseball caps knocking back cans of lager, so the excuse we dont drink doesn't wash.
One thing that does annoy me though is the severe lack of Police presence especially on a Sunday night. I guarantee the police could pull 30+ people if they wanted to, but hey I guess they dont want all that paperwork.”
by Anon, Stoke
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 5:15PM
“The problem is that cars in relative terms are cheap to buy and run now, in the past the cost of cars kept them away from the hoi polloi thus excluding the plebs.”
by J. Clarkson, Oxford
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 5:13PM
“Tempting Simon, but I get the impression that it may have been a bit thrashed.”
by simon connor, stoke
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 4:36PM
“id just like to say that iv just bin made redundant from creta ceramica witch i worked at for 4 an a half years. iv bin on the dole 4 one week. if any 1 wud like 2 buy my 2.0 16v clio sport 172 let me know”
by James, Stoke on rent
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 3:54PM
“How do yu manage run a car,,insure it,,tax it,,petrol,,etc etc, on bloomin benefits,,!! beats me,,??, not counting rent etc, mind yu probably dont pay that either. My working son went two weeks over in paying his insurance, (he was ill), he got caught an they crushed his car, they should do the same with these idiots.”