Lee Healey was caught by officers patrolling a street racing hotspot in the West Midlands
Lee Healey from Birmingham, was jailed for 26 weeks after admitting a charge of dangerous driving. He was also handed a two year driving ban. Healey clocked up speeds of more than 100mph in front of officers(Image: West Midlands Police)
A Birmingham street racer who showed “blatant disregard” for the law after clocking up speeds of more than 100mph on a 40mph road has been jailed.
West Midlands Police said Lee Healey put other motorists at risk in Birmingham. He was caught at an illegal street racing meet on March 9.
Healey, 34, was rumbled by police on Damson Parkway as part of an operation targeting speeding hotspots.
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Healey, 34, from Yorklea Croft, Chelmsley Wood, was jailed for 26 weeks at Birmingham Magistrates Court on September 16, after admitting a charge of dangerous driving. He was also handed a two-year driving ban.
Police hailed the “very strong convictions” as Healey was punished alongside two other street racers.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said on September 23: “On March 9 this year, traffic officers were patrolling Damson Parkway and other hotspot locations in relation to Operation Hercules, an operation targeting street racing in Birmingham and the Black Country.
“They observed a large number of vehicles parked up, indicating a street racing event was taking place. Officers recorded Healey driving at speeds of more than 100mph on the night with the speed limit being 40mph.
“Two more men also received suspended sentences, told to carry out community service and banned from the roads after appearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on the same day.
“Ivan Ivanov, 35, from Rounds Hill Road, Coseley, was handed a 26 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, when he appeared at court pleading guilty to dangerous driving. He was also told to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work for the community within the next 12 months and banned from driving for two years.
Lee Healey from Birmingham, was jailed for 26 weeks after admitting a charge of dangerous driving. He was also handed a two year driving ban. Healey clocked up speeds of more than 100mph in front of officers(Image: West Midlands Police)
“Officers had seen him racing other vehicles on June 8 this year on Bickenhill Parkway, Chelmsley Wood. Ivanov had been seen driving at speeds reaching 97mph while doing laps on Bickenhill Parkway, driving towards the roundabout at the A452 Chester Road and then driving back towards Progress Way.
“He had been seen overtaking other motorists and accelerated in excess of 100mph away from officers. He also attempted to drift around traffic islands.
“Isa Ismail also received a 26 week sentence suspended for 12 months, handed a 24 week curfew order with electronic monitoring and given a two year driving ban when he appeared at court and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
“He had also been seen by officers racing a vehicle on Watery Lane Middleway on June 8. He was seen driving up the bus lane at high speed, where he weaved in and out of traffic braking harshly and changing lanes and forcing other drivers to break harshly and move out of his way. His vehicle was later seized for having no insurance.
“All three men face a requirement to take a further driving test after the disqualification period.”
Police described Damson Parkway as a notorious street racing spot(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Sgt Ade Brown, from Operation Hercules, said: “These are three very strong convictions which have seen one man sentenced to prison for more than six months and two others handed suspended sentences, community work and banned from our roads.
“We need motorists to understand that we won’t tolerate illegal street racing or cruising on the region’s roads and will take action against motorists who flout the law and put other road users at risk. If you come to the West Midlands and engage in street racing, you will be convicted for driving offences and could be given a custodial sentence. “
There is a ban on street racing in Birmingham and the Black Country due to High Court rulings. Anyone breaching the ban will be in contempt of court and could face penalties including jail, a fine, or an order to have their assets seized.