An Essex man has been jailed for four years and banned from the roads for more than seven years after crashing a car into bystanders. 

The incident happened at an unauthorised car cruise meeting at a retail park in Stevenage in July 2019. 

Officers were called following reports that two cars, which had been driven at speed in the area, had collided and subsequently hit crowds which had gathered to watch.

It left 19 people injured. 

At St Albans Crown Court on Friday two men were sentenced in relation to the incident.

Dominic Brown, aged 21 and from Park Street Lane, St Albans, and 21-year-old Julian Castano-Perez from Fitzwalter Place, Dunmow, were charged with 19 offences in connection with the collision.

Brown was sentenced to five years imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for seven and a half years.

Castano-Perez was sentenced to four years imprisonment and given a seven year and four month driving ban.

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Both drivers were charged with eight offences of serious injury by dangerous driving and 11 offences for wanton/furious driving.

Prior to the case coming to court, both drivers admitted all charges.

Detective Sergeant James Thorne who led the investigation into the collision said: “This is a very pleasing result. By accepting responsibility for their actions Castano-Perez and Brown have spared some of the victims the trauma of having to re-live the events of that night in court, and have shown remorse for their actions.

“This kind of irresponsible behaviour always puts lives at risk and it was incredible that no one was killed as a result of the events of that night.

"I hope this sentence sends a clear message to those that think it is acceptable to drive at speed/race and show off their motor vehicles in this way, the consequences of such irresponsible behaviour and that we will pursue the severest penalty.”

Chief Inspector for Stevenage Simon Tabert added: “Much work has been done in conjunction with Stevenage Borough Council to make sure this horrific event will never be repeated. The council now have an injunction in place that will provide police with powers to prevent the kind of activity that caused the accident and we are working with them to enforce this legislation.”

Chief Superintendent Richard Liversidge said: "On behalf of local communities I would like to commend the responding emergency services. Our police officers worked together with East of England Ambulance Service and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in the life-saving response at the scene on the night. I also recognise the efforts of the members of the community who helped in the aftermath of the collision.

“The skill and determination of our police investigators who brought this case to court is also recognised.

“The outcome of this case is highly relevant, as we continue to see irresponsible and anti-social use of vehicles.

"The injuries sustained in this case highlight the dangers involved in taking part in or watching such gatherings and Hertfordshire Constabulary continue to deploy resources to prevent this type of behaviour, but I continue to ask for the support of local communities in this effort."