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15:35 GMT, Monday, 20 October 2008 16:35 UK

130mph web video biker is jailed

A motorcyclist who posted footage of himself on the internet site YouTube speeding at more than 130mph (209km/h) and performing stunts has been jailed.

Sandor Ferenci, a 28-year-old carer, was spotted riding dangerously in roads around Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Police said it was later discovered he had posted the footage on the video-sharing website.

At Oxford Crown Court on Monday, Ferenci, of Fulwell Close, Banbury, was jailed for 12 weeks.

He was spotted doing wheelies, skids and racing on the opposite side of the road on the A422 Banbury to Brackley road on 10 and 15 June.

"We are talking about public roads and they are there as a transport network not a race track or show ground"
Sgt Bryan Smith

He was reported by a motorist, who had made a note of his number plate.

The court was told that when officers called at Ferenci's home, before they had a chance to say anything he asked, "is this about the YouTube video?".

The footage, which was played to the court, had been filmed by a friend from various angles including from a footbridge.

Brian Payne, prosecuting, said it was impossible to attribute an exact speed but police have estimated he may have reached 130mph (209km/h).

Ferenci was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to take an extended driving test after he pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving.

'Lunatic manoeuvres'

Gary Bell, mitigating, said Ferenci was "truly remorseful and truly sorry".

Judge Terence Maher told him that he had carried out "lunatic and grossly irresponsible manoeuvres at considerable speed" on his Yamaha R6 bike.

The footage has since been removed from YouTube.

Outside court Sgt Bryan Smith, of Thames Valley Police, said: "It's important to qualify that we are talking about public roads and they are there as a transport network, not a race track or show ground.

"It's incredibly dangerous. A trophy video has been used on the internet and it could incite other road users to behave in the same way."




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Related to this story:
Biker's 147mph video is condemned (15 Apr 08 |  Sussex )
Biker quizzed over '100mph video' (16 Feb 07 |  Somerset )

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