Driver jailed for racing car on major Black Country road at speeds of 95mph

Spectators watched as the Range Rover and VW Golf hurtled along the Black Country Route between Bilston and Ettingshall, a judge heard.

An unmarked police car caught 26-year-old Adam Thomas and the other driver red handed shortly before midnight on June 29, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, said: "There had been reports of similar incidents and the word had got around that his was a suitable place for men to perform in their vehicles in front of a crowd.

"People were gathered to watch at an intersection to watch while the unmarked police car was in the area to ensure that racing did not happen again."

It caught up with the two racing cars after they had completed one lap of the circuit that saw them making 360-degree turns on roundabouts at either end of their chosen stretch of road.

They also managed to reach speeds of 95mph on the dual carriageway that had normal traffic travelling on it at the same time, the court heard.

Then the under-cover police car activated its lights and siren prompting the Range Rover to pull over, but the VW driven by Thomas continued, explained Mr Searle.

He was finally persuaded to stop and confessed that he had been going a 'bit fast' but tried to maintain he had not been travelling more than 10mph above the 50 limit, it was said.

Mr Anthony Eskander, defending, said: "He fully understands the danger of what he did and appreciates that he could have caused injury to himself and other people.

"He has got rid of the car and has not returned to the incident since this happened."

Thomas, from Lowe Avenue, Darlaston, who had a dozen previous convictions for offences that included several motoring offences, admitted dangerous driving.

He was locked up for six months by Recorder John Edwards who told him: "You have an obsession with motor cars and racing.

"This was the sort of driving that quite often ends in the mortuary.

"You were showing off.

"A clear message has to go out from this court that those who indulge in racing like this will go away for it."

The defendant was also banned from driving for two years and will have to pass an extended test before getting his licence back.

A man alleged to be the other motorist involved in the incident is to face trial at a later date.