People and communities
Street racing injunction to continue as pair get suspended jail sentences
Published on
An interim injunction banning street racing in the Black Country has been permitted to continue by the High Court – a day after two individuals were given suspended jail sentences for breaching it.
The interim injunction prohibits people from participating, as a driver, a rider or a passenger, in a gathering of two or more people at which some of those present engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.
It covers the whole of the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall and anyone breaching it will be in contempt of court and could face penalties including imprisonment, a fine, or an order to have their assets seized.
Anthony Paul Gale, of Oakenfield, Lichfield, and Wiktoria Anna Szczublinska, of Reynoldstown Road, Birmingham, appeared before the High Court in Birmingham on Tuesday (3 October, 2023) and pleaded guilty to contempt of court after breaching the injunction.
Gale, who was seen racing at 80mph in a 40mph zone at Kenrick Way, West Bromwich, on the evening of Sunday 28 May, 2023, 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 condition that Gale and Szczublinska comply with the street racing injunction.
Further defendants are due to appear before the court in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the High Court yesterday (Wednesday 4 October, 2023) allowed the interim injunction to continue, with Her Honour Judge Kelly ordering that a further review hearing be held on 20 December 2023 with a final hearing on 27 and 28 February, 2024.
The application was led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council, and supported by West Midlands Police.
“ 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 – I am pleased that two people have been brought to justice for this dangerous activity and it serves as a warning to others, too. “
“ 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; they will be in contempt of court, which is a very serious offence, and could face up to two years’ in jail, an unlimited fine, or have assets like their vehicle seized.
These are stiff punishments which are proving a deterrent to would-be street racers and helping us to keep our region’s streets free of this anti-social and dangerous behaviour. “
For more information about the interim injunction, please visit the street racing injunction pages of the applicants – Wolverhampton (www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/street-racing-injunction), Walsall, (https://go.walsall.gov.uk/black_country_car_cruising_injunction), Sandwell (www.sandwell.gov.uk/streetracing), or Dudley (www.dudley.gov.uk/car-cruising-injunction).
Incidents of street racing should be reported via asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk or to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.
ENDS
