Street racer receives suspended prison sentence for racing in West Bromwich
A street racer who raced other vehicles at speeds of around 70mph along Kenrick Way in West Bromwich has received a
suspended prison sentence. Rebecca Richold, aged 20, of Armstrong Drive, Worcester, was involved in street racing – also known as car cruising – along Kenrick Way on 2 September 2023. She was racing other vehicles at speeds of approximately 70mph on the 40mph dual carriageway in breach of the Black Country street racing injunction.
Ms Richold was subsequently arrested and bought before Birmingham High Court. At a hearing on 9 January 2024, Ms Richold admitted to the breach and the judge made a 27 day committal order suspended for 12 months on terms that Ms Richold abides by the current injunction order (or any further amendments that are made to it). Councillor Syeda Khatun, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection, said: “We are working together with our partner organisations to protect people’s safety and tackle the anti-social behaviour that is linked to street racing.
“People in West Bromwich have been very concerned about street racing on Kenrick Way. This successful court case follows others where street racers have been brought to justice for breaching the injunction in Kenrick Way and it serves as a further warning to people about this extremely dangerous and anti-social activity.” An interim injunction has been in place across the Black Country since December 2022, prohibiting people from participating, as a driver, a rider or a passenger, in a gathering of two or more people at which some of those present engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving. It covers the whole of the boroughs of Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton and anyone breaching it will be in contempt of court and could face penalties including imprisonment, a fine, or an order to have their assets seized.
At a court hearing in Birmingham last month (December 2023), a judge permitted the interim injunction and Power of Arrest to remain in force, and ordered that a final hearing takes place on 27 and 28 February 2024. At the final hearing, the claimants will be seeking to extend the scope of the injunction so that it covers spectators and organisers. The application is led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Sandwell Council, Dudley Council and Walsall Council, and supported by West Midlands Police. The final hearing will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday 27 and 28 February 2024, in the High Court of Justice at the Birmingham District Registry, Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre, Priory Courts, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6DS, from 10.30am on each day.