This article was published on September 19, 2016 and information contained within may now be out of date.
A self-proclaimed “badman driver” who seriously injured his young passenger when he crashed head-on with another vehicle has been jailed.
William Lee drank lager and drove at speeds of up to 110mph (177km/h) before crashing with a Vauxhall Astra in Willoughby, Lincolnshire.
His 14-year-old passenger, who had pleaded with him to slow down, was badly hurt, Lincoln Crown Court heard.
Lee later contacted his passenger to try and stop him making a statement.
Richard Sheldon, prosecuting, told the court that Lee drove the boy to Mablethorpe at speed, before picking up a supply of cannabis.
The court heard on the return journey Lee continued to speed, telling his passenger “I’m a badman driver”, before overtaking a parked lorry and crashing head-on with another car.
After the crash, Lee ran from the scene, making no attempt to seek help for his young passenger who was seriously injured, the court heard.
Mr Sheldon said that three weeks later Lee contacted the boy and offered him a bribe in a bid to stop him making a statement to police.
The prosecutor told the court that Lee offered the boy £1,000 together with Littlewoods vouchers and a new pair of trainers “to keep his mouth shut”.
Lee, 23, of Mew Gull Drive, Sutton-on-Sea, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving on 13 June 2015. He also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by offering a bribe.
He was jailed for two years and four months and banned from driving for three years.
Judge Simon Hirst imposed an additional driving disqualification, which means the ban is scheduled to start on Lee’s release from jail.
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