Who says people in Suffolk are stupid?

[Kahnee]

A teenager who posted footage on the internet showing him driving at more than 120mph was handed a suspended jail term today.

Danny Hyde, 18, of Stowmarket, Suffolk, had one hand on the steering wheel as he used his mobile phone to record a two-minute journey along the A14 near Ipswich.

Police began investigating after being alerted by a member of the public who spotted the clip on YouTube.

Hyde admitted dangerous driving between July and August last year and was handed a four-month suspended sentence.

Appearing at Ipswich Magistrates' Court, Hyde was also ordered to complete 210 hours' unpaid work and banned from the roads for 18 months.

Prosecutor Sandra Dyer said: "The aggravating feature is Danny Hyde recorded the speed using his video on his mobile phone and posted it on YouTube."

Footage of Hyde's journey in his R-reg Vauxhall Astra was played to the court.

It showed Hyde overtaking lorries and a motorcycle on a stretch of dual carriageway.

"We have seen a very thoughtless act," said Neil Saunders, mitigating.

"The affect on Mr Hyde and his family has been devastating."

He added it had been a "moment's madness" and Hyde was full of remorse.

Mr Saunders said he believed the offence was the first of its kind to be prosecuted.

Magistrates' chairman Leisha Klein, sentencing, said: "The aggravating features are the excess speed, the use of the mobile phone to record the incident, which necessitated you taking your eyes off the road while driving with one hand on the wheel.

"An additional aggravating feature is you put this video on YouTube, publicising your actions and possibly influencing others."

Following the verdict, Inspector Trevor Sharman of Suffolk Police said: "The road is not a playground, and its misuse is nothing to be proud of.

"I would like to thank the member of public who brought this clip to our attention, to enable us to track down and prosecute this individual."

[Hobbsie]

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Edited February 21, 2008 by Hobbsie

[Woodsyla]

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[Hobbsie]

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[ManxRed]

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[Duncan Disorderly]

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