Officers have warned of the dangers of driving at excessive speed after a collision in Poole left a teenager with life-changing injuries.
Brothers Henry Taylor, aged 21, and Harrison Taylor, aged 19 – both of Poole – admitted offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to a collision on the B3369 Banks Road during the early hours of Tuesday 26 December 2023.
Harrison Taylor was driving a Mercedes A200 with a female passenger – who was aged 17 at the time – in the front seat.
Henry Taylor was driving a BMW M135 and also had a female front seat passenger.
An investigation by officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Team indicated the two vehicles were travelling in convoy at speeds in excess of 70mph as they drove along the 30mph road.
The Mercedes failed to navigate a right-hand corner and struck a gatepost of a property before the BWW then collided with the Mercedes.
The 17-year-old female passenger of the Mercedes was trapped in the vehicle and was extracted by the fire service, before being taken to hospital for treatment to multiple serious injuries.
Following an extensive investigation, the two brothers were issued with postal requisitions to appear at court for an offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, which they admitted.
They appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 8 January 2026 and both defendants were sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. They were also disqualified from driving for three years.
Sergeant Mike Burt, of the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: “It is clear from the evidence that these brothers were racing each other and travelling at highly excessive speeds prior to the collision, which resulted in devastating injuries for one teenage passenger.
“This incident is a further reminder of the severe consequences that can result if motorists drive in a reckless and dangerous manner. The actions of the young drivers that night have left the victim with injuries that will have a life-long physical and mental impact.
“We carried out a comprehensive investigation to compile evidence and establish the full circumstances surrounding this collision and ensure the defendants were brought before the courts for their offending.
“We will continue to thoroughly investigate all incidents of motorists flouting the law on our road networks and conduct proactive patrols to keep road users safe.”
