A teenager who crashed after reports that he was racing with an Audi and a BMW along the A629 Aire Valley Road has been spared an immediate custodial sentence.

Bradford Crown Court heard that 19-year-old Harry Patrickson had ‘grown up’ and was leading a hardworking and responsible life after being caught driving carelessly and dangerously in the space of less than two weeks.

Patrickson, of Tanhouse Lane, Wilsden, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention on Thornton Road, Bradford, on April 13 last year, and dangerous driving along the A629 to Hard Ings Roundabout in Keighley on April 25.

Prosecutor Camille Morland said he was at the wheel of his father’s green Seat Ibiza on both occasions.

The police saw him doing up to 60mph on Thornton Road at 7am. He was overtaking, crossing to the wrong side of the road and narrowly avoided a cyclist.

Miss Morland said it was the rush hour and low sun was affecting visibility.

Officers lost sight of the Seat in Bradford city centre but it was traced because it was registered to Patrickson’s father.

On April 25 in the early evening, Miss Morland said that members of the public rang the police to report that the Seat, a silver BMW and a black Audi were what was described as ‘racing’ towards Keighley.

Patrickson, who was the last in the line of cars, hit a parked vehicle at the roundabout.

Anastasis Tasou said in mitigation that Patrickson had no previous convictions and had stayed out of trouble in the year since the offences.

No one was hurt in either piece of driving and most of the damage was to the Seat.

Patrickson had a good job and was well thought of by his employer.

He was 18 at the time and very remorseful. He had learnt his lesson.

Recorder Simon Kealey QC sentenced him to six months’ detention, suspended for 12 months, with 220 hours of unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and until he passes an extended retest.

He was also ordered to pay the £530 costs of the prosecution case.

Recorder Kealey said that less than two weeks after being caught driving carelessly, Patrickson was ‘in convoy or trying to race’ with two other cars before hitting a vehicle at the roundabout.

But the teenager was ‘now a very different person’ and it wasn’t necessary to send him to immediate custody.