“Drifter” caused serious injuries to bystander

A driver who caused serious injuries to a man at a car meet in Peterborough has been disqualified from driving and given a suspended prison sentence.

Albert Hall, 22, was “drifting” around a roundabout in Foril Strada, Alwalton, when he lost control of the purple Mazda MX5 and careered into a crowd of spectators.

The car struck a 21-year-old man, leaving him with a bleed on his brain, fractured skull and injuries to his legs.

Hall left the scene but returned a short while later and his car was found hidden a short distance away.

The crash on 2 September was reported to police who seized the car and found it was dangerous and would not pass an MOT, with it having exposed tyre chords, missing parts and modifications.

Hall, of High Street, Stanwick, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court yesterday (Monday 12 August), where he was disqualified from driving for two years and will be required to pass an extended re-test, after he admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was also sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for 18 months, and is required to complete a 15-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) and 120 hours’ unpaid work.

PC Chris Euerby, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “The victim was left with life-changing injuries, but it could have been a lot worse. Not only was Hall’s manner of driving a concern, but the modifications to the vehicle made it extremely dangerous and unroadworthy.

“Car meets are a chance for enthusiasts to meet up, admire other vehicles and often intended to be good-natured events, but there are sometimes a few who can ruin it for others with them having a history of becoming anti-social and causing the local community misery due to behaviour such as excessive noise with revving of engines and loud music, as well as reckless and dangerous driving as seen in this case.

“I hope this sends out a clear message to other car enthusiasts. Anyone found driving dangerously or in an unroadworthy vehicle will be dealt with robustly.”

Anti-social driving can be reported to police via the web chat service or online forms at www.cambs.police.uk/report. Anyone without internet access should call 101.

If a crime is in action, or someone is in immediate danger, always dial 999.