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Reckless Passenger’s Handbrake Horror on A259
A dangerous stunt on the A259 near Bosham has landed a car passenger behind bars. Jake Sharpe, 28, a rear-seat passenger in a Vauxhall, yanked the handbrake at speeds up to 60mph, causing chaos on the road. The driver lost control, skidding into the opposite lane and smashing head-on into a Hyundai.
Crash Leaves Victims Severely Injured
The crash had brutal consequences. A Hyundai passenger was left with life-threatening injuries. The Vauxhall passenger himself suffered severe, possibly life-changing harm. The Hyundai driver also sustained injuries in the smash.
Armed Forces Man Sentenced to Prison
Sharpe, from Otway Road, Chichester, who serves in the armed forces, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on January 12. He pleaded guilty to:
- Two counts of causing grievous bodily harm
- Two counts of criminal damage to vehicles
- One count of common assault
The court handed down a 23-month prison sentence for his reckless actions on November 25, 2022. Speeds at the time were between 50 and 60mph. Sharpe offered no excuse for his dangerous stunt.
Police Condemn ‘Inexplicable Stupidity’
“Sharpe caused a devastating collision as a result of his inexplicable stupidity that day,” said PC Tom Van Der Wee of Sussex Roads Policing Unit. “He has shown no remorse for the innocent elderly couple in the Hyundai or his own injured colleagues, one of whom faces a shattered armed forces career.” “This case shows our determination to secure justice for the victims in this terrible incident.”
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