A 22-year-old man from Stafford has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after being caught street racing at speeds of up to 80mph in front of spectators in the West Midlands.
Reckless driving captured by police
Oskar Arif was observed by police racing other vehicles from the M6 Junction 7 roundabout in Great Barr to Kenrick Way in West Bromwich on November 16. He was part of a group of drivers recorded reaching at least 90mph on the motorway, undertaking other cars and displaying a consistently poor standard of driving.
The most dangerous part of his conduct occurred on Kenrick Way in West Bromwich, a road with a 40mph limit. Arif was captured racing at speeds of at least 80mph along this stretch, directly in front of crowds of spectators who had gathered at the roadside to watch. He was also seen undertaking another vehicle close to where the onlookers were standing.
Court outcome and council warning
Arif, of Kimberley Way in Stafford, was later arrested in Holly Lane, Smethwick, in the early hours of the morning. He appeared at Birmingham High Court on December 12, where he admitted breaching a Black Country-wide street racing injunction order.
The court handed him a 28-day prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, on the condition he adheres to the injunction. He was also ordered to pay £2,534.30 in court costs.
Sandwell Council confirmed that Arif is the 14th driver to receive a suspended prison sentence for breaching the injunction within the borough. Notably, eleven of those prosecuted in Sandwell were caught racing along the same stretch of Kenrick Way.
"Behaviour will not be tolerated"
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, issued a stern warning following the court result. "This latest court result sends a further message to street racers, or car cruisers, that this dangerous and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated," she said.
"The manner of this driving, and the fact spectators were so close by, is really worrying. As we have tragically seen before in Sandwell, street racing puts people’s lives at risk and can lead to devastating tragedies."
She acknowledged that street racing on Kenrick Way has been a specific concern for local residents and pledged that the council would continue to work with West Midlands Police and other Black Country councils to protect communities.
The injunction, led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Sandwell, Dudley, and Walsall councils, prohibits:
- Participating in street racing as a driver, rider, or passenger.
- Promoting, organising, or publicising such gatherings.
- Attending as a spectator.
It covers the entire boroughs of Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. Anyone found in breach is in contempt of court and faces potential imprisonment, fines, asset seizure, and liability for the council's legal costs.
