Mechanic Banned After Instagram Doughnut Video Goes Viral

A mechanic has been banned from driving after police identified him from an Instagram video showing him performing dangerous doughnuts around pedestrians at a car meet 🚗💨

Harry Aufiero was filmed drifting around two people in a BMW at Langland Park Industrial Estate in Newport on July 7 last year, with number plates removed to hide driver identities.

An off-duty police officer spotted the video two days later on Instagram, recognising the industrial estate where police had been called to “a large car meet.” The video tagged account ‘@harry.driftz’, leading officers to identify the BMW’s number plate from other posts.

The 20-year-old from Hyde Lane in Ecchinswell, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Newport Crown Court.

“He fully accepts responsibility for his driving,” said Alice Sykes, appearing for Aufiero. “He was fully aware he was driving dangerously and fully aware his decision making could have resulted in serious injury to others.”

The qualified mechanic’s interim disqualification had already impacted his work, the court heard. Ms Sykes added he was remorseful and had “a realistic prospect of being rehabilitated.”

“He is still only 20 years old,” she said. “His immaturity clearly has a bearing on his decision making.”

Judge Celia Hughes said: “It clearly was a highly dangerous manoeuvre. You could have caused injury or damage by driving so stupidly. I agree that posting that on Instagram was glamourising that behaviour.”

Aufiero received a 12-month community order requiring 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was banned from driving for 12 months, must complete an extended re-test to regain his licence, and was ordered to pay £1,000 in court costs.