TWO young drivers who breached the Black Country-wide car cruising injunction in Dudley have appeared in court.

Sam Green, aged 20, of New Street, Quarry Bank, and Reuben Charlesworth, aged 19, of Harcourt Drive, Dudley, had admitted contempt of court for breaching the injunction by participating in a car cruise and driving in convoy.

The pair were among a number of people who had taken their cars to Flood Street car park in the early hours of August 9 last year, causing a nuisance to and disturbing nearby residents, who called police.

Both had admitted the breach at a previous hearing and were given suspended sentences of four months (Green) and three months (Charlesworth) at the High Court in Birmingham.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member responsible for community safety at Dudley Council, which brought the case against Green and Charlesworth, said: "It is extremely disappointing that people think it’s acceptable to take part in this anti-social behaviour, which upsets the lives of those living nearby.

“By bringing this case, we’re sending a clear message to all those who take part in car cruising that we will be tough on it and we will not hesitate to use the court’s powers to take action against it.

“We hope by bringing this prosecution we will also discourage people from taking part in this anti-social, illegal and dangerous activity, allowing residents to sleep soundly in their bed at night.”

Dudley, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall councils, working in partnership with West Midlands Police, secured the three-year injunction from the High Court in Birmingham in December 2014.

It came into force in February 2015 and stops people from participating in a car cruise anywhere within the Black Country or from promoting, organising or publicising any car cruising event within the same area.

The injunction defines car cruising as the act of drivers meeting on the public highway on either an organised or impromptu basis to race or show off in their cars.