'Show off' driver crashed into car meet spectators

A teenager has been sentenced for dangerous driving after his high-powered BMW struck spectators watching a car meet.

Police said Harrison Cudworth was showing off, lost control and hit three pedestrians while performing a manoeuvre on the A608, close to the M1, in Nottinghamshire.

One of the victims was thrown into a bush by the impact and suffered a broken pelvis.

Cudworth, 19, was sentenced to 26 months in a young offenders institution when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday.

Nottinghamshire Police said Cudworth was among the drivers taking part in the car meet close to junction 27 of the M1 at 21:30 GMT on 14 January last year.

The force said the woman went to watch having seen the event advertised on social media.

She was taken to hospital and required surgery after being badly injured. Two other people, standing on the roadside with her, suffered minor injuries when they were also hit by Cudworth's car.

Cudworth, of Ash Grove, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was arrested and pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Det Insp Kate Savage, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "The standard of driving displayed by Cudworth was appalling.

"It appears he was showing off by copying other drivers and lost control close to a group of people who had gathered to watch the car meet.

“One of the spectators suffered nasty injuries and was fortunate not to be even more seriously hurt."

Det Insp Savage added: "This incident shows car meets of this type can be extremely dangerous places for both drivers and spectators.

“We would always warn anyone against attending these types of gatherings.

“As a wider issue in our communities, we take car cruising and associated anti-social behaviour very seriously as a force."

Police said a public space protection order was in place in the junction 27 area to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

The force said it allowed officers to take action against vehicles making excessive noise, being driven in convoy and accelerating aggressively.

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