Two men escape jail after driving at 144mph

Two drivers were clocked speeding at 144mph on a public road in North Yorkshire – hours after they met at a go-karting track.

Leeds men Daniel Richardson, 21, and James Burrows, 26, were caught in their high-powered sports cars by a mobile speed camera after meeting at the track in Middlesbrough, a court heard.

CCTV footage showed Richardson, of Dewsbury Road, Beeston, travelling in his Ford Focus RS on the A19 near Crathorne on 
November 30 last year.

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He had two passengers with him and was closely tailed by Burrows, of Burnleys Mews, Methley, who had one passenger in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.

Northallerton magistrates heard yesterday how the road, which was busy at the time of the midday incident, was often used by slow-moving agricultural vehicles.

The pair admitted dangerous driving. Both were given four-month jail terms, suspended for 18 months, and 300-hour community orders and were banned from driving for three years. They were fined £85 and ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge.

Magistrate John Bacon said: “I have never seen speeds of 144mph, and especially on a dual carriageway on a Saturday lunchtime driving in convoy – showing off.

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“The first and presiding risk was that there were five people in those cars – the risk of fatality was such that the mere suggestion of a rabbit running out could have distracted the driver and there would have been a catastrophe.

“It has been described as excessive speed – I would describe it as adolescent, selfish and dangerous, it was for nobody else’s gratification but your own.”

Burrows’ mother held her head in her hands during sentencing.

In mitigation, Michael Sisson-Pell, for Richardson, who runs a family pet food company, said he was an honest, hard working and decent young man. Prison would be a catastrophe for him, his family, and employees.

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Mike Walsh, for Burrows, said: “Mr Burrows has spent a great deal of time reminded by probation and his parents, who are mortified that the boy they brought up to respect the law and authority finds himself in this situation.”

North Yorkshire Police’s 
mobile safety camera manager, Dave Brown, said the pair were guilty of “appalling driving”.

Watch the video at www.
yorkshirepost.co.uk