Video of dangerous driver released after man sentenced following car meet in St Albans

Safer neighbourhood team officers have released video footage of the moments a man drove dangerously around a petrol forecourt, in a bid to reassure the public that they have been tackling the long-term neighbourhood priority of car meets and dangerous driving on the A405 in Chiswell Green.

Dominic Manley, aged 24, of Horseshoe Lane in Watford, who was caught driving around the petrol forecourt and a dual carriageway in Chiswell Green, St Albans, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months.  He was also sentenced to 240 hours of unpaid work, to complete a thinking skills programme and was fined £50. 

The court heard that Manley was driving a white BMV erratically and at excessive speed on the Shell petrol station forecourt in Chiswell Green and on the A405 during a pre-arranged car meet on 16 January this year.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at St Albans Crown Court on 7 October 2022.

PC Clare Lapenna said: “Manley was filmed doing doughnuts and driving on the petrol station forecourt narrowly missing the pumps. He was traveling at excessive speed and put other road users at risk that day.  Fortunately no-one was injured but it could have been a different story.”

She said: “We have had numerous complaints from members of the public about the A405 being used for car meets and this is one of our neighbourhood priorities in St Albans East and London Colney. We are committed to preventing collisions occurring and making sure other road users are not put at risk by dangerous, thoughtless drivers.

“We will continue to monitor the area during our routine patrols and bring anyone offending before the courts.”