A SEVENTEEN-year-old has been banned from driving for 22 months for his involvement in a head-on smash in Topsham, a court heard. The incident, in which one man had to be dragged from a burning vehicle, happened earlier this month near the Bridge Inn. The

A SEVENTEEN-year-old has been banned from driving for 22 months for his involvement in a head-on smash in Topsham, a court heard.

The incident, in which one man had to be dragged from a burning vehicle, happened earlier this month near the Bridge Inn.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted drink-drinking and driving without due care and attention at Exeter Magistrates Court last Wednesday, October 28.

Joel Segal, who runs Joel Segal Books, was involved in the collision.

He was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and suffered two fractured ribs. Two of his friends, who were travelling in the same car, were taken to hospital and sustained injuries.

The chairman of the bench sentenced the 17-year-old to a six-month referral order and disqualified him from driving for 22 months.

They offered him the chance to take a driver's rehabilitation course run by Devon County Council.