Speeding driver broke friend's back in road smash then ran away

Luke Devey, aged 23, raced a Peugeot 206 through Willenhall at speeds of up to 60mph – at least 20mph over the speed limit – on December 17, 2015.

He then hit the pole and three parked cars in Stringes Lane.

Devey, of St Anne's Road, Willenhall, was driving three friends in the car but after the crash he and the front passenger ran from the scene.

They left one of their friends, Autumn Daker, in the back passenger seat with a broken back with another person.

She had to spend 'a few days in hospital,' prosecutor Mr Mark Cooper told Walsall Magistrates Court.

He was driving despite not having a valid licence and any insurance, the court heard.

Mr Cooper told Walsall Magistrates Court that the friends had urged him to slow down as he raced through the streets but he refused to heed their warnings and careered into three cars – a blue Peugeot, a red Vauxhall and silver Proton.

Alcohol was found in Devey's system after he was arrested but he was not over the drink driving limit at that time, the court heard.

Devey gave a 'no comment' police interview but admitted his guilt at the court.

He will next appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on July 21, after magistrates sent the case there for sentencing.

Devey is currently barred from driving but magistrates agreed that any period for disqualification will be settled by a judge at Wolverhampton Crown Court in just under three weeks.

Devey, who attended court in trainers and a black jumper, was granted conditional bail.

He must not contact Daker or the other two passengers in the car and must sleep each night until his next court appearance at his address in St Anne's Road.

Daker is currently in prison after she was found guilty of burgling a house in Clothier Court, Willenhall, in September 2014.

Stringes Lane had to be closed for emergency services to recover the cars and help the injured on December 17, as was reported in the Express & Star at the time.

Bloxwich Fire Station crew commander, James White, told this newspaper: "Two of the rear passengers were taken to hospital shortly afterwards, but it does not look like they have serious injuries."

Defending Devey, his barrister Mr Ian Henery said: "He tells me that he's a father, he's got a two-year-old child.

"Every day he thinks 'my daughter could have been left without a father', that he could have died.

"In fact his friend died eight years ago in Willenhall and he knows he came close to losing his life."