A DRIVER who filmed himself performing dangerous manoeuvres in his car and posted the footage on Instagram has been spared jail.
Benjamin Coombes, 21, of Twyford Close, Fleet, admitted four counts of dangerous driving at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, August 5, relating to incidents in Fleet and Andover.
The court heard that on October 26 last year, police received reports of an unorganised car meet and became aware of Instagram footage showing a silver BMW being driven "aggressively and deliberately" sideways at various locations, including roundabouts at Minley Road, Ancells Road, and Elvetham Heath Way.
Officers attended Coombes' address on October 31.
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The court heard Coombes made prolonged use of his mobile phone to film himself while driving. He had no previous convictions, though he had received two cautions for non-driving matters, and entered guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity.
In mitigation, the court heard Coombes accepted the risk his driving posed to others, though thankfully no one was injured. He had previously worked as a delivery driver and now had two offers of employment, and was considering further qualifications in business management.
Sentencing, Magistrate Craig Wooster told Coombes: "You've got four offences, each in their own right that could cross the custody threshold. You did this in public, published it, put people at risk.
"I'm a petrolhead, I like cars, but I can't do that on public roads, nor can you. I hope it doesn't put you off cars but does put you off flying in the face of common law."
Coombes, who appeared in court wearing a white shirt, was handed a prison sentence for each offence, running concurrently, reduced to 24 weeks in custody due to his early guilty plea and lack of previous convictions. The sentence was suspended for 12 months.
He was also ordered to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work and complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Coombes must pay a £154 victim surcharge and £80 costs, totalling £234, to the court within 28 days, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months from May 19, until he passes an extended driving test.
The magistrate added: "Driving is a privilege; it is not a right. Cars are dangerous; they are dangerous to other people."
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