Three more street racers have received suspended prison sentences with orders to pay court costs after breaching the Black Country-wide injunction in Sandwell.
Sandwell Council took the three to Birmingham High Court for racing at high speeds on the borough’s roads.
One man was arrested by police on Saturday 26 October 2024 on Kenrick Way, West Bromwich. On 12 November 2024, he admitted breaching the street racing injunction and received a 54-day custodial order suspended for two years on terms that he abides by the order. He was ordered to pay £3,200 in court costs.
He admitted travelling around 70mph in a 40mph zone on Kenrick Way and was arrested by police after racing a car and undertaking other vehicles.
On 25 November 2024, two men admitted breaching the injunction on 9 August 2024 by racing each other on the Black Country New Road before they were arrested on West Bromwich High Street.
Both received a 56-day custodial order suspended until 26 May 2026 on conditions that they abide by the injunction. They were each ordered to pay £587.50 in court costs.
The two admitted travelling around 70mph on the Black Country New Road.
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, said: “These three street racers are the latest we have brought to justice for breaching the injunction order in Sandwell.
“Street racing puts people’s lives at risk as we have seen with tragic consequences in other incidents in Sandwell and this very dangerous and anti-social behaviour must stop.
“We will continue to work together with other councils, the police and other partner organisations to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.”
In February 2024, the High Court granted a full and final injunction banning street racing, also known as car cruising, in the Black Country.
It forbids anyone who is a driver, rider or passenger in or on a motor vehicle to participate between the hours of 3pm and 7am in a gathering of two or more persons within the Black Country area at which some of those present engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.
It also covers organisers and spectators, prohibiting people from promoting, organising or publicising gatherings, or from participating in a gathering as a spectator with the intention or expectation that some of those present will engage in street racing.
The injunction covers the whole of the boroughs of Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton and has a Power of Arrest attached to it which gives the police the power to arrest anyone who breaches it. Breach of an injunction is a contempt to court and if proved the court has the power to impose a sentence of imprisonment, a fine, or an order seizing a person’s assets.
For more information about the injunction, please visit the street racing injunction pages of the applicants:
- Sandwell street racing webpage
- Dudley street racing webpage
- Walsall street racing webpage
- Wolverhampton street racing webpage
Incidents of street racing in Sandwell should be reported online to the council or to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.