A leading Black Country councillor has warned boy racers they will face justice.
The warning comes as the interim injunction prohibiting people from participating in gatherings of two or more people where some are engaging in motor racing, stunts, or other dangerous driving, was extended by the High Court on Wednesday, October 4.
The application to continue the interim injunction was led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council and is supported by West Midlands Police.
It covers Dudley, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall and anyone breaching it could face penalties including imprisonment, a fine, or an order to have their assets seized.
The extension comes as two people were sentenced for breaching the ban.
Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for public health and protection, Syeda Khatun, said: “The two successful court cases show that we take breaches of the injunction very seriously and that those involved in street racing are at risk of going to prison.
“Our priority is the safety of people and tackling the anti-social behaviour that is linked to street racing.
“People in West Bromwich have been really concerned about street racing on Kenrick Way, so I am very pleased that two people have been brought to justice for this dangerous activity and it serves as a warning to others too.”
Anthony Gale, of Oakenfield, Lichfield and Wiktoria Szczublinska, of Reynoldstown Road, Birmingham, appeared before the High Court in Birmingham on Tuesday, October 3 and pleaded guilty to contempt of court.
Gale, who was seen racing at 80mph in a 40mph zone at Kenrick Way, West Bromwich, on the evening of Sunday, May 28 was given 23 days imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
Szczublinska, who was seen racing at 90mph in the same 40mph zone on the same night, was given 28 days imprisonment, also suspended for 12 months.
Both sentences were suspended on the condition that Gale and Szczublinska comply with the street racing injunction.
The City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for adults and wellbeing, Jasbir Jaspal, said: “We are pleased that the High Court has seen fit to continue this interim injunction, which has brought about a dramatic reduction of incidents of street racing in our region.
“People who breach the interim injunction should be under no illusions as to the penalties they could face.”
Judge Kelly ordered a further review hearing on the extension that will be held on Wednesday, December 20 with a final hearing on Tuesday, February 27 and Wednesday February 28, 2024.
More defendants are due to appear before the court in the coming weeks.
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