One driver has been handed a driving ban and ordered to pay costs after the racing was filmed on a main road in Newport
A driver has been handed a 12-month ban and multiple costs after being filmed drag racing along a main road. The 41-year-old, from Abergavenny, took part in a race between another car along the main road near its junction with Celtic Way, Newport.
Footage played in court showed the driver racing down the empty road on October 20, 2024 as onlookers watched from the side of the road. The driver, Phillip Melville pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and will no longer be allowed to drive a vehicle for the next 12 months.
Melville attended Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 17, where he was also given a fine and ordered to pay further costs.
All together he was given a 12-month driving disqualification, a £576 fine, £90 in court costs and a £230 victim surcharge. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here
PC Elliot Morgan, the officer in the case, said: “Our roads are not racetracks and there are so many potential risks when people decide to drive as recklessly as this.
“We’re taking action, through Operation Wheeler, to target irresponsible motorists who participate many different types of anti-social driving, including street racing or illegal car meets, on our streets and bringing them before the courts.
“Dangerous driving isn’t worth the risk; it can cost you your licence, your freedom, your livelihood and even your life.”
Over the past year Gwent Police have cracked down on illegal car meets and street racing after 144 reports were made in 2024.
The Operation Wheeler initiative tackles the anti-social and dangerous use of vehicles across the Gwent area and has already seen multiple arrests and convictions.
Earlier this month a 20-year-old driver was convicted of dangerous driving after being filmed doing doughnuts around two people. Harry Aufiero received a 12 month driving ban as well as made to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity for the incident in Newport.
Also this month, Gwent Police shared that two further drivers had been prosecuted after being caught on camera drag racing in Newport, both receiving driving disqualifications.
RPSO Sergeant Mitchell Harris, the leader of Operation Wheeler said: “Operation Wheeler is about tackling the dangers that can come from illegal car meets and street racing, from the impact on other road users to noise pollution and the links to other criminal activities they can have.
“Illegal car meets are not just a nuisance; they pose serious risks to public safety and community wellbeing.
“Our goal is simple – we want to put the brakes on illegal car meets, street racing, and anti-social and dangerous driving and we’re working proactively with our partners to achieve this.”