Devoted father calls for 'Ben's Law' to ban illegal car meets in memory of his son who was killed in Oldbury

Councillor Damian Corfield, whose 19-year-old son Ben was knocked down by a car during an unofficial road race event at Oldbury in November 2022, called for new laws that would make it a criminal offence to attend, promote or organise such events.

He said social media platforms which are used to promote the events should also be held to account.

At the moment police rely on existing traffic laws, particularly the Road Traffic Act 1988, which prohibits the racing of vehicles on public roads or any other public way. This, however this only applies to drivers, and requires proof that they are actually in the act of racing. 

Offences of careless and dangerous driving can also be used, if this can be proven.

But Councillor Corfield, cabinet member for neighbourhoods on Dudley Council, said the laws need to be tightened so that anybody participating, attending or organising the events can be prosecuted, whether they commit driving offences or not.

"I want to see Ben's Law, I want a specific law brought in that would make it an offence to participate in these events in any way," he said.

Ben and his friend Liberty Charris, 16, also from Dudley, were killed when a Nissan Skyline driven by Dhiya Al Maamoury collided with a number of pedestrians at the junction of Oldbury Road and Crystal Road. Ethan Kilburn and Ebonie Parkes also suffered serious injuries.

Al Maamoury, who was 54 at the time of the offence, initially denied causing death by dangerous driving, but changed his plea when he appeared before Wolverhampton Crown Court in November last year. He was jailed for 13-and-a-half years.

Councillor Corfield said Ben and Liberty attended an event which had been promoted as a 'static car meet'.

"They had only just parked up, they hadn't even got there, they were walking round the corner when this happened," he said.

In February last year, the High Court imposed an injunction covering Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, which effectively means it already is illegal to attend these events.

It forbids anyone who is a driver, rider or passenger in or on a motor vehicle to participate between the hours of 3pm and 7am in a gathering of two or more people within the five authorities at which some of those present engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.

It also covers organisers and spectators, prohibiting people from promoting, organising or publicising gatherings, or from participating in a gathering as a spectator with the intention or expectation that some of those present will engage in street racing.

Anyone attending, even as a passenger or spectator, can now face up to two years in prison, a £5,000 fine or have their vehicle seized on the spot.

Councillor Corfield said that while the police were working hard to deal with the problem, in practice this meant the events were usually displaced to surrounding areas.

He said social media companies whose platforms are used to promote these events must also be held accountable.

West Midlands Police has responded with Operation Hercules, a campaign to arrest people involved in street racing, car cruising, or anti-social or dangerous driving.

So far this year, 15 people have been arrested for breaching the injunction, and fines totalling £40,000 have been handed out. Suspended prison sentences totalling 640 days have also been issued to drivers.

More than 90 dispersal orders have also been issued at street racing hotspots. Anyone refusing to leave can be forcibly removed or arrested.

Following Al Maamoury's sentencing in November last year, Councilor Corfield made an emotional statement in which he said he, his wife Lynette and daughter Shannon, were still struggling with their loss.

He told how Ben had wanted to follow in his footsteps by becoming an HGV driver and a councillor.

"We've lost our son, the light of our lives," he said. "Nothing will take that pain away, and it's the most excruciating, heart-wrenching pain, every second of the day.

"The pain and devastation as a father, mother and a sister, we can't settle. We wake up and we're calling for him."