Bypassing security and driving your road car on a circuit in the middle of a race is never a good idea. 22-year-old Jack Cottle has learned that the hard way, as he got an eight-month jail sentence for his incredibly stupid stunt.

Back in June, Cottle was driving his girlfriend’s VW Polo near the Brands Hatch circuit, when he took advantage of a breach in security and managed to get on the track during the four-hour Fun Cup race. With his girlfriend and two passengers in the back, he tried to show off his driving skills along the much faster VW Beetle race cars during the last 30 minutes of the event, putting many lives in danger.

Jack Cottle was arrested after footage of the VW Polo being driven on to the track was uploaded on YouTube. He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing a public nuisance, with Maidstone Crown Court’s judge Martin Joy describing the defendant’s actions as “premeditated” and “inexcusable”.

“You drove a full circuit and I have seen the films with sound commentary showing your girlfriend was hysterical and screaming and begging you to stop, and also protesting it was her car,” the judge told Cottle.

While the girlfriend had to receive medical attention after suffering a panic attack during the drive, Cottle came off the track laughing. Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MSV, the company that owns Brands Hatch, said the young man got what he deserved.

“His idiotic and selfish behaviour – aggravated by his unrepentant attitude in subsequent media coverage – received much immediate condemnation. His conviction and prison sentence will serve to reinforce the message that this kind of antisocial behaviour is not only stupid, but will lead to prosecution,” he said. You can watch footage of Cottle’s “adventure” in the videos posted below.

Story references: BBC News

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