A young driver has been handed a significant road ban after police obtained damning video evidence of him performing reckless drifting stunts, some with passengers seen hanging from the car's windows.
Shocking footage leads to conviction
William Hoy, aged 23 and from Mortimer in West Berkshire, was convicted last week after pleading guilty to multiple driving offences. The court heard how police discovered a series of clips showing Hoy's black BMW being spun at high speed in tight circles, often at night.
In some of the most alarming footage, two passengers were seen leaning precariously out of the back windows of the moving vehicle during the manoeuvres. Other clips showed Hoy deliberately drifting the car around a stationary pedestrian and across a roundabout as another vehicle approached.
County-wide spate of antisocial driving
The charges related to a series of incidents that occurred across Hampshire and Berkshire between 11 August and 27 October 2024. The dangerous driving took place in Basingstoke, Alton, Petersfield, Yateley, and Earley.
Hoy appeared at Winchester Crown Court, where he received an 18-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years. In addition to the driving disqualification, he was ordered to complete a 24-day rehabilitation programme, perform 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay £1,000 in fines and costs.
Police warning to treat roads with respect
Police Sergeant James Hall of the Roads Policing Unit condemned Hoy's actions. "This kind of driving is completely unacceptable," he stated. "Hoy’s actions put other road users at significant risk, and it’s only by sheer luck that no one was seriously hurt."
He emphasised that the two-year ban should serve as a stark warning. "The driving ban reflects the seriousness of his actions and should act as a clear warning to anyone who thinks they can treat our roads like a playground," Sgt Hall added. "We will continue our work to ensure dangerous drivers like this are swiftly taken off our roads."
The footage came to light as part of a broader police investigation into antisocial driving and illegal car meets in the region.
