Idiot dad Neal Smith raced at 100mph with baby in the car

Nov 21 2009 by Rob Kennedy, The Journal

However they were found guilty of racing on the A167 between Chester-le-Street and Durham City.

The race ended when Smith crashed into the central reservation at Plawsworth. He was thrown through the back window of the car. His baby son, who was in a child seat in the back of the car, was uninjured.

Whitaker, driving a Toyota MR2, pulled up just before the accident.

Smith was jailed for 51 weeks, suspended for 18 months, told to do 100 hours of unpaid work, must pay £500 costs and was banned from driving for four years.

Whitaker was jailed for 36 weeks, suspended for 18 months, with 80 hours of unpaid work, £500 costs and a four-year road ban.

Tony Davis, for Smith, said: “He has been left with a heavy financial burden of £30,000 because as a result of his conviction there’s no way on earth his insurance company will settle any claim.”

Tom Moran, for Whitaker, who works in a supermarket, said: “He was alone in the vehicle and was not aware there was a young baby in the other car.”