A CAR driven by a speeding York motorist ran out of control and flew more than 20 metres before landing in a field and rolling over several times, York Crown Court was told.

The crash on the country road between Wheldrake and the A19 at Crockey Hill left passenger Graham Recchia with multiple injuries including neck, rib, shoulder and collar bone fractures, and he was airlifted to hospital, said Patrizia Doherty, prosecuting.

The 19-year-old driver of the MG car, Alex Havercroft, was estimated to have been driving at between 60 and 80 mph when he lost control and it came off the road in the crash last May.

She said an eyewitness had reported earlier seeing the car being driven 'far too fast for the road,' and said it made them feel nervous.

An analysis by police showed that the vehicle was airborne for 24 metres before landing in the field and rolling several times.

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His passenger, a friend who was being given a lift home from work by Havercroft, required surgery but was now making a satisfactory recovery.

When interviewed by police, he did not accept he was speeding and said he had clipped an embankment.

Andrew Semple said in mitigation that Havercroft was of previous good character with no convictions, who had been excited on the day by a promotion at work.

He had been 'overwhelmed by guilt' at causing such serious injuries to a friend and had suffered symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, including flashbacks, nightmares and short temper. He had also lodged early guilty pleas. Mr Semple said Mr Recchia remained his friend.

Mr Recchia said in a note that he just wanted to 'get on with my life and put it behind me.'

Havercroft, of Lown Hill, Acomb, admitted dangerous driving causing serious injury and also a separate offence of carrying a sword, which the court was told related to an incident between him and a neighbour later last year.

He was jailed for two years but the sentence was suspended for two years, on condition he does 140 hours’ unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for three years and must take an extended driving test before driving alone again.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC told Havercroft it was a case of a 19-year-old in a high powered car driving far too fast, the consequences of which had been severe, and he was 'just able' to suspend the prison sentence.

After reading a psychiatric report on him, the judge said he accepted that the sword incident was part of his reaction to the injuries he had caused, adding: "But for the accident, the second set of offences would not have happened.”