An apprentice mechanic who was caught carrying out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre on a blind bend was told his driving could have had catastrophic consequences.

Another driver captured Joshua Peacock racing past traffic and overtaking on a blind bend when he was late for work.

The 20-year-old was told he was lucky not to have caused serious injury to himself or other road users when he sped along the access road to Newport Bridge connecting Middlesbrough and Stockton.

Nigel Soppitt, prosecuting, said the other motorist captured the defendant’s driving on his front and rear dash-cams and provided the footage to the police.

He said Peacock’s dangerous driving took place at around 8.30am on June 5 last year when he was making his way to work as an apprentice mechanic.

The court heard how the defendant’s VW Passat was filmed crossing the white lines and speeding towards oncoming traffic on a blind bend.

Peacock, of Leven Road, Stockton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at the magistrates’ court after admitting he was speeding as he was late for work.

Christopher Morrison, mitigating, said his client had never been in trouble before and had a promising future in fulltime employment as motor vehicle technician.

Judge Richard Bennett passed a 12-month community order and told the defendant he must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

He said: “These manoeuvres were dangerous and could have had catastrophic consequences for you and other road users.

“It was due to good fortune, rather than your driving, which resulted in no injuries being suffered.”

Peacock was banned from driving for 12-months and warned he must pass an extended test before driving again.