Man Utd player jailed over crash

Mads Timm raced team mate Callum Flanagan

A Manchester United player has been jailed for his part in a high-speed road race in which two people were hurt near the club's training ground.

Mads Timm, 20, was convicted of dangerous driving along with former United player Callum Flanagan, 19, at Manchester Crown Court last month.

The pair were given respective 12 and eight month sentences in a young offenders' institution.

Both were disqualified from driving for three years.

An earlier hearing was told the pair sped along a 40mph road in Partington, Manchester, after finishing a training session at the club's training ground at about 1300 GMT on 14 January 2004.

This is a typical case of young men driving outside of their capabilities and placing their own lives and the lives of other road users in danger Ch Insp David Bleackley

They raced along roads in convoy at high speed, taunting each other, with Timm in a Mitsubishi Evolution and Flanagan in a Honda Civic.

Flanagan's car lost control on a bend and collided with a Ford Fiesta.

Its driver, Angela Bourne, suffered heel and knee injuries. A passenger in Flanagan's car, team mate Phil Marsh, 17, had to be cut from the wreckage.

Timm, from Bowden, Greater Manchester, and Flanagan, of Ludgate Hill, Manchester, showed no emotion when sentenced.

Flanagan admitted dangerous driving but Timm had denied the charge.

Ch Insp David Bleackley said: "This is a typical case of young men driving outside of their capabilities and placing their own lives and the lives of other road users in danger.

"Regardless of the age and status of the driver, it is essential that they take care and realise that their actions on the roads can have serious repercussions."