"Can’t wait for all the heat to die down so we can hit the strip.”
Two men and a woman who organised illegal street races in the West Midlands via social media have been jailed.
Ahzi Nagmadin, Jessica Roberts and Rashani Reid arranged events that were described as “festivals of dangerous driving” through social media and group chats.
Nagmadin was jailed for three years by the judge who described him as a busy and enthusiastic organiser.
He had created a popular street racing account, which had around 20,000 followers.
The account would announce that an illegal meet would be happening but not release the exact location until shortly before the start time.
It would then share images of the cars that had gathered.
Reid was responsible for posting on a similar Instagram account, organising events and attending races.
One post showed police examining his Honda Civic after he had been stopped by officers.
He commented on the post: “Can’t wait for all the heat to die down so we can hit the strip.”
Meanwhile, nursery worker Jessica Roberts had discussed attending and arranging meet-ups.
The trio admitted causing a public nuisance.
At Birmingham Crown Court, Nagmadin was jailed for three years.
Reid was jailed for four years and two months.
Roberts was jailed for three years.
DC Mark Campbell, from West Midlands Police’s Operation Hercules team, said:
“These organisers played different but important roles in organising meet-ups around Birmingham, including many during lockdown.
“Nagmadin was proud of the brand identity he had created, with stickers and logos being created to promote what was described in court as ‘festivals of dangerous driving’.
“Reid wanted to be a social media influencer, but this was described as ‘warped and misguided’ by the judge.
“Reid was exposing countless people to the risk of serious injury or death on the roads.”
“On Roberts’ phone, we found more than 100 pages worth of messages to various numbers organising meets from 2019 to 2021, with warnings about where police were out and about looking for street racers.
“These lengthy prison sentences are a warning to anyone taking part.
“The judge sentencing these three said people who organise these events require appropriate punishment, which can only achieve by prison sentences.
“We know that social media accounts can change owners and operators easily, but we are coming for anyone who is involved in organising these events and they too can expect lengthy prison terms.”
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