A TEENAGE driver accused of racing around Ely city centre in the early hours of the morning has admitted careless driving. Adam Turpin was caught on CCTV as he cruised at speed, while his female passenger was on the phone to a second vehicle. This was a

A TEENAGE driver accused of racing around Ely city centre in the early hours of the morning has admitted careless driving.

Adam Turpin was caught on CCTV as he cruised at speed, while his female passenger was on the phone to a second vehicle.

"This was a brief episode of youthful exuberance," solicitor Michael Judkins told city magistrates on Thursday.

Prosecutor Delia Matthews, told the court: "It was caught on CCTV. Turpin was driving at speed and appeared to be racing another car, he essentially was racing. He went round the system with the other car twice."

There were no witnesses and it was impossible to gauge the cars' speed, she said, but both vehicles did abide by traffic light signals.

"Fortunately there was no accident," she added.

Turpin, 18, of Elizabeth Way, Haddenham, had gone out in the early hours of the morning after having an argument with his mother on May 31 last year, said Mr Judkins. He had not known the other car driver.

"It was a couple of cars cruising around. They were certainly not racing, but gathered speed along the High Street, one vehicle behind the other," he said.

Fining Turpin £100 with £35 costs and putting five points on his licence, presiding magistrate Janet South said: "This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated in Ely. We appreciate it was 1.30am, but people could have been around and an accident caused."

A charge of dangerous driving, denied by Turpin, was withdrawn.

n A dangerous driving charge facing Robert McLatchie, 21, of High Barns, Ely, has been discontinued.