Footage has been released that shows a motorway driver reaching out and taking a can of beer from a stag do minibus at 70mph. Police released the video that captures the moment Paul Holmes took the drink from one of the passengers in the minibus.
The 24-year-old civil engineer overtook another vehicle before pulling back into the middle lane, alongside the minibus which was driving in the right lane of the motorway, between junctions 16 and 17 of the M6, reports StokeonTrentLive. He then moved close enough to take the can.
Holmes, of Darkwood Crescent, Clitheroe, has now been disqualified from driving for 15 months after admitting dangerous driving. And he'll have to pass an extended test if he wants to hit the road again. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the motorway was busy at the time, and the stunt could have had "catastrophic" consequences. Holmes's solicitor said he had been caught up in a "very exciting day".
Debbie Leadbeater, defending, 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. 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."
Mark Olszewski, chair 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."
