A motorist who reached out of his car window for a beer from a passing vehicle has been banned from driving.
Engineer Paul Holmes found himself driving alongside a stag do minibus at 70mph and was seen grabbing a can of beer from a passenger on the M6 outside Birmingham, West Mids.
The 24-year-old decided to have "a bit of a laugh with them" but unbeknown to him, his actions were caught on the dashcam of another vehicle, StokeonTrentLive reports.
READ MORE: Liverpool mum-of-four filmed 'on her knees' in viral clip admits public sex act
Holmes' defence told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that he got caught up with the banter as he and a pal were gearing up for a night out.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that he was travelling very closely behind another vehicle and the motorway was busy at the time, and that the stunt could have had "catastrophic" consequences.
The engineer's lawyer said he had been caught up in a "very exciting day". Debbie Leadbetter, defending the engineer, said: "He had been to see his children in Birmingham. He picked a friend up and they were going to go out in the evening. They were passing this group of people who started to gesticulate and wave to them.
"There was banter with them, they were in high spirits. Momentarily he got caught up in the fervour of the stag party and bizarrely he agreed to take this can and give it to his friend.
Russian murderer freed from jail to fight Ukraine surrenders as he was 'cannon fodder'
"Throughout this time he had full control of the vehicle and did not look away from the road. He just put his hand out. It was momentary stupidity."
Ms Leadbeater said Holmes works as a civil engineer and was concerned about the effect his driving ban would have on his job. In addition to his disqualification, magistrates handed him a 12-month community order with 140 hours unpaid work.
Holmes, of Darkwood Crescent, Clitheroe, was traced by police following the February 4 incident.
He has now been disqualified from getting behind the wheel for 15 months after admitting dangerous driving.
And he'll have to pass an extended test if he wants to hit the road again.
Mark Olszewski, chairperson of the bench, told Holmes: "What we saw on the footage has given us a great deal of concern. The potential outcome of that behaviour could have been catastrophic. It could have cost lives."
Holmes must also pay £280 in court costs and charges.
For more shocking stories from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here
READ NEXT:
Wannabee arsonist sets themselves on fire while trying to torch house with kid inside
Parents warned as distressing 'Hi Mum and Dad' Whatsapp scam moves to text
'I did what anybody would', says McDonald’s 'axe man' after rejection rampage
Elephant charges at dad who broke into zoo enclosure with daughter, 2, for 'selfie'
Kidnapped girl, 15, escaped after ‘convincing abductor to get food' as suspect arrested
Source: Read Full Article