AN 18-YEAR-OLD boy racer from Swansea has avoided jail after admitting to a dangerous driving offence, with a judge giving him what he called a “once in a lifetime chance.”
Christopher Nicholas, of Birchgrove, Swansea, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity when he appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court in October last year.
The incident took place on Wednesday (Sep 2, 2024) at around 10:30pm, when officers on patrol spotted two cars speeding past a junction. Nicholas, driving a black Vauxhall Polo, split from the other vehicle and continued in a different direction.
Police clocked the car travelling at 60mph in a 20mph residential zone before officers stopped and detained him. When questioned, Nicholas admitted to speeding but claimed he was unaware of his exact speed. He also acknowledged going the wrong way around a roundabout.
Nicholas, who had a clean driving record with no previous convictions or warnings, was described by the court as “young and naive.”
Judge issues stern warning
During sentencing, Judge Geraint Walters questioned the defendant’s reckless behaviour, saying: “What possessed you to drive this way, I don’t understand. I thought you might be racing with the other car, but there was no hint of that. Your moment of madness was short-lived.”
Despite the severity of the offence, the judge noted: “There is no evidence that you put anyone in danger.”
Rather than imposing an immediate custodial sentence, Judge Walters handed Nicholas a 12-month community order, including a 12-week electronically monitored curfew. He was also banned from driving until he passes an extended driving test.
The judge acknowledged the gravity of the offence but told Nicholas: “You will be one of those rare cases I’m not sending straight down.” He noted that Nicholas had brought a bag to court in anticipation of being jailed, before telling him: “You won’t need it today.”
However, Judge Walters warned the teenager that any further offences could result in a very different outcome. “It’s a once in a lifetime chance I’m giving you today,” he said.