A dangerous driver has been given a suspended sentence and disqualification after a video of a crash at Hampshire junction emerged online.

A BMW driven by Bradley Parsons left the A272 after his attempt to drift across the Meon Hut crossroads ended in disaster.

The footage was seen by police with Parsons being identified as a driver who took part in an illegal car meet in Reading the day before.

Basingstoke Magistrates Court heard police became aware on October 25 of the unauthorised car meet in Arkwright Road as videos were uploaded to social media.

The footage showed a green BMW drifting at speed and performing 'donuts' around a person standing in the road as large crowd watched perilously close.

The same BMW came off the road the next day close to the A272 and A32 junction north of West Meon.

Parson’s BMW, which was heading towards West Meon, accelerated “extremely hard” from the traffic lights, causing violent wheel spin. He attempted to drift onto the westbound A272 but lost control and ended in the hedge opposite the BP garage.

Police Sergeant James Hall said: “On both occasions his driving was deliberate, reckless, and intended to show off to spectators.

"The video of him crashing clearly shows that he lost control of the car, which is easily done when attempting to drive in such a dangerous manner.

“This was a busy junction with pedestrians and other motorists and quite frankly, he is lucky that nobody - including himself - was seriously injured or worse."

Parsons was handed a 12-month suspended sentence and a two-year driving ban after admitting to two counts of dangerous driving.

He must complete an extended retest before being allowed to drive again, pay costs and charges totalling £357, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.