'Arrogant' crash driver spared prison (From thisisoxfordshire)

'Arrogant' crash driver spared prison

5:44pm Monday 25th February 2008

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A BANNED driver sped through Wantage before crashing his car and flipping it on to the roof, leaving his girlfriend lucky to be alive.

Lee Blackman, 21, was handed an eight-month suspended jail sentence at Oxford Crown Court today for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, told the court Blackman - who has twice previously been banned from driving - drove a "souped-up" Ford Escort through Wantage, making dangerous overtaking manoeuvres at speeds up to 60mph last September.

He lost control on a corner on the A417 and crashed into road signs and a lamppost, leaving his 18-year-old girlfriend with a fractured vertebra, she added.

Judge Tom Corrie banned Blackman, who lives at a building site at Sainsbury's in Wantage, from driving for two years, ordered him to do 100 hours' community service, imposed a supervision order for 18 months and issued eight points on his licence.

Judge Corrie added: "You come across as an arrogant young man with no respect for the law. I am hoping it is possible you might grow up a bit having come so close to causing serious injury, if not death, to someone you love."

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