Ringmer tractor crash: Harry Dennis and Danny Stiller in court

Harry Dennis, 21, bought the new vehicle and wanted to take it for a spin, "racing" his friend Danny Stiller, 21.

The pair were seen by witnesses driving at high-speed near The Broyle, Ringmer.

Dennis overtook Stiller in his Honda Civic, clocking an average speed of 101mph on the B2192 towards Halland.

At a turn in the road, Dennis’s BMW struck a tractor driven by Jeremy Sampson, who suffered serious injuries including a broken cheek bone.

At Lewes Crown Court, the two young men both admitted dangerous driving, while Dennis also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug-driving.

Chris Moll, prosecuting, said the incident happened on May 18 last year.

He said the tractor was struck from behind, and read out the estimated average speeds of the two drivers.

Lewes crown court

Her Honour Judge Janet Waddicor said one witness described the duo as “racing” each other.

Thomas Nicholson-Pratt, defending Dennis, and Justin Rivett, defending Stiller, denied claims the young men were racing.

Mr Nicholson-Pratt said his client had saved up his money through hard work to buy the BMW the day before.

“Perhaps like any young man, he was proud of his achievement and proud of the car and having saved up for it,” the barrister said.

The scene of the crash near Ringmer in Lewes, where Harry Dennis crashed his newly bought BMW into a tractor, causing injury

“He wanted to show his friends, which is indicative of a lack of maturity at the time. He got hugely carried away and drove at an excessive speed. He did not appreciate being so far over the speed limit.

“Our expert opinion is that he was not racing. When he came across the tractor it was too late. He did his best to slam on the brakes but lost control of the vehicle.”

Mr Nicholson-Pratt said the incident was a “moment of madness” caused by Dennis’s “impulsivity and stupidity”.

The car was “written off” after the crash.

He added that his client had been “self-medicating” with cannabis because of gout and an arthritic condition.

The judge spared the men an immediate prison spell as they have no previous convictions.

The scene of the crash near Ringmer in Lewes, where Harry Dennis crashed his newly bought BMW into a tractor, causing injury

Dennis, of Maples Close, Maresfield, and Stiller, of Hadlow Down, Uckfield, were both given a four-month suspended prison sentence and 80 hours of unpaid work.

They were both put under a curfew from 8pm to 6am for three months, and were banned from driving for one year.

Dennis was told he must complete an extended retest before he is allowed back behind the wheel.

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