No prison for racer over collision
A speeding driver involved in a race against a friend which killed a 77-year-old pensioner in the Black Country has been spared a jail sentence.
A speeding driver involved in a race against a friend which killed a 77-year-old pensioner in the Black Country has been spared a jail sentence.
Craig Perks sped away from traffic lights in Halesowen with his friend travelling alongside his car, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The 22-year-old was then forced to slow down because of a lorry but the friend went past the vehicle and ploughed head-on into an oncoming car.
Its driver, Patrick Kelly, from Birmingham, was killed while Perks' friend suffered serious head injuries, said Mr Bernard Linnemann, prosecuting.
The injured driver was still in hospital ten months after the accident.
Mr Linnemann said that Perks' friend signalled for them to race away from traffic lights, but Perks was forced to pull up behind a lorry. The friend clipped the kerb before smashing into Mr Kelly's car.
Perks, of Lodge Crescent, Netherton, admitted dangerous driving and was given a 12-month jail term suspended for 18 months.
He was disqualified from driving for 18 months, given 120 hours community punishment and £838 costs.