A BOY racer who failed to stop for police and was chased on multiple streets around Barnsley town centre before being apprehended has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Teenager Reece Cuthbert, of Homecroft Road, Goldthorpe, was given a one-month jail term, which was suspended for two years, because the offence was deemed to have risked people’s lives, according to police.
Cuthbert’s Ford Fiesta was witnessed driving dangerously on Peel Street, Westway, Harborough Hill, Kendray Street and Pontefract Road on October 18.
The 19-year-old appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court and admitted dangerous driving. He also put under a ten-week curfew between 8pm and 6am, as well as being told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within the next year.
It comes after South Yorkshire Police - who have been working alongside their West Yorkshire colleagues - vowed to clamp down on boy racers who were deemed to be driving antisocially at hotspots including the town centre’s County Way car park, McDonald’s off Old Mill Lane, Cortonwood and Cudworth.
Inspector Martin Moizer said: “We are aware of public concern about speeding and dangerous driving and are making it a priority as a result.
“I would urge residents who want to see us mount an operation on a road of concern to get in touch as we do need feedback to help us ensure we are where they want us to be.
“We could be anywhere where poor and dangerous driving has been noted so the message to drivers is really simple: drive safely and legally because if you don’t, you run the risk of coming across us and being pulled.”
Given much of the boy racers’ alleged route skirts the South and West Yorkshire borders, partner work has been carried out by the two forces over the summer including stints in Shafton and Cudworth.
Police say motorists have already received warning letters and even had their cars seized as part of Section 59 of the Police Reform Act - including those congregating in Cudworth - but only if their registration plates have been recorded twice in a 12-month period.
A police spokesman added: “Section 59 is a good tool to have as it enables us to firstly issue warning notices to anyone caught driving in an antisocial manner.
“If they ignore that warning, or do take note but are caught doing it again within 12 months at places such as car parks, the vehicle will be seized.
“The registration plate is immediately flagged up to the police if it’s been reported previously.
“Although a warning can be given, if the public report a registration plate a few times we can immediately go to the section 172 notice.
“One key concern is speeding so we’ve been implementing things such as community-led speed watch schemes across Barnsley which has been a real success.
“Cortonwood has had a lot of car meets and it tends to be young motorists who congregate there.
“The majority behave but as with most things it’s the minority that spoil things for others, so we’ve had a big presence there.
“Education is the key and our officers have been into colleges to discuss road safety and how youngsters can be safer.
“We carry out regular patrols and operations to tackle various driving offences and will continue to do so, as one life taken is one too many.
“I want to reassure the public and also ensure that we are able to respond to the community’s concerns.”
Cuthbert, who was also banned from driving for two years, was told to pay a surcharge of £122 and £85 court costs.
