Teen Driver Gets Slap on the Wrist After Dangerous ‘Doughnuts’ Stunt
Jack O’Shaughnessy, 20, from Trowbridge, has been handed a suspended jail sentence and a driving ban after risking lives with reckless driving at a packed car meet in Swindon.
Suspended Jail and Driving Ban for Risky Stunts
O’Shaughnessy was sentenced to eight weeks in jail, suspended for a year, and banned from driving for 12 months at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on April 12. He must also pass an extended driving test, complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and pay £85 in court costs plus a £154 victim surcharge.
Doing ‘Doughnuts’ in Front of Crowds
The offence stems from a November 13 incident at the Hawksworth Industrial Estate in Swindon. O’Shaughnessy was caught performing dangerous ‘doughnuts’ at a car meet hosting over 100 vehicles. Around 40 people stood just a few metres from his spinning car, putting themselves in serious danger.
He was arrested shortly after and charged with dangerous driving.
Police Crackdown Continues Under Operation Staysail
PC Luke Hobbs of the Roads Policing Unit warned: “O’Shaughnessy was placing himself and the pedestrians surrounding the car at risk by driving in the manner which he was.
“By driving like that, he was not in control of his vehicle and if something went wrong it could have seriously injured someone.”
“As part of our 1 under Operation Staysail, we continue to target individuals who take part in disruptive car meets, which upset communities and pose huge risks to road users. We will keep patrolling these incidents and use all evidence to bring offenders like O’Shaughnessy to justice.”
