Car cruising verdict

Two men have been given prison sentences following the ‘car cruise’ incident in July 2019 which injured 19 people.

Dominic Brown, 21 and from St Albans, and Julian Castano-Perez, 21, from Dunmow, Essex, appeared at St Albans Crown Court, having pleaded guilty to all 19 charges against them in connection with the collision.

Both drivers were charged with eight offences of serious injury by dangerous driving and 11 offences of wanton/furious driving.

Brown was sentenced to five years imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for seven and a half years, while Castano-Perez was sentenced to four years imprisonment and given a seven year and four month driving ban.

The incident on 18 July 2019 occurred during an unauthorised car cruise event. Two cars collided at the exit junction of the Roaring Meg South car park on Monkswood Way, before ploughing into crowds of people that had gathered to watch.

Subsequently, Stevenage Borough Council successfully implemented an injunction banning such events within the town. Police continue to be vigilant in regard to such activity. ​