The driver of a black Audi involved in a serious pile-up after racing with another vehicle has escaped a prison sentence because his co-accused had already received a community order.

Today, a judge at Bradford Crown Court told Dominik Gregor he had caused “complete carnage” and both he and the other driver should have been locked up for 18 months.

The court heard that Gregor, 24, of Cusworth Close, Halifax, was tailgating a Nissan Juke at up to 80mph before the four-vehicle smash on the A58 Rochdale Road at Sowerby Bridge on August 27, 2020.

It was stated that the Nissan driven by the co-accused pulled out in front of the Audi at 7am. Both cars then overtook other vehicles at high speed.

One eye witness told how they “flew past, bumper to bumper.”

A BMW pulling out of a garage was struck by the Nissan. The Audi ran into them and a Mercedes was also involved in the smash.

The driver of the BMW, which hit a wall, was taken to hospital with a cut to his head and pain in his legs. The court heard that fortunately his injuries were not serious.

Gregor pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was sentenced to an 18-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days.

Recorder Anthony Hawks felt that his hands were tied because the co-accused, dealt with last year at the magistrates’ court, had received a community order with unpaid work. His case was made worse by the fact that he was drink-driving.

The recorder said the men were racing and the other driver was over the limit.

“They should have both ended up locked up for this,” he said. “I’m not very happy with this but I’m stuck with the situation as it is.”

He told Gregor he was “a very lucky man.”

He and the Nissan driver had caused “complete carnage.”

“Never drive like that again,” Recorder Hawks said.

Gregor was banned from driving for 18 months and until he passes an extended retest.