A CAR became airborne and ripped a lamppost out of the ground after the driver decided to “have a laugh” behind the wheel.
Scott Lacy had tailgated a Mini while he and his passenger made abusive gestures to the driver as he overtook at speed, a court heard.
Moments later the Sunderland 20-year-old lost control of the Vauxhall Astra he was driving and sent it hurtling into the air.
The car came across the pavement and landed on its side after hitting a lamppost at the Houghton Road junction, in Newbottle.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how, remarkably, nobody was seriously hurt in the lunchtime smash in March last year.
Lacy and his passenger had managed to climb out of the car before the emergency services got to the scene.
Prosecutor Paul Rowland told the court the Mini driver saw the Astra, which belonged to Lacy’s father, “become airborne” shortly after it overtook her.
Mr Rowland said: “The Astra came off the road, across the pavement and struck a street light.
“The car turned on to its side, having hit the lamppost. The lamppost was totally uprooted out of the ground.”
The court heard the cost to repair the street light was more than £1,500.
Lacy, of Durham Road, admitted dangerous driving.
Judge Brian Forster sentenced him to 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with supervision, a three- month night-time curfew and a two-year driving ban.
The judge told him: “In my judgment you were driving in an aggressive and dangerous manner and you and the person with you were having a laugh.
“Anyone who drives in such a manner puts members of the public at risk.”
The judge said Lacy’s prison sentence could be suspended because he has a history of mental health difficulties.
Lewis Kerr, defending, said Lacy plays a supporting role in the care for his grandmother.
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