A 21-year-old Wrexham farm labourer who overtook an unmarked police car and two motorcyclists on a country road at speeds in excess of 90mph.

The driver, who crossed solid white lines, was told by a judge: “You could well have been standing in the dock pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving”.

Judge Rhys Rowlands added at Caernarfon crown court today: “I don’t know what the reason was, you weren’t showing off, you were just plain stupid.”

He was speaking to Llewellyn Parry-Jones of Borras Hall Lane, Wrexham, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

He was given an eight months prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 120 hours of unpaid work.

Parry-Jones was banned from the road for two years, when he will have to take a re-test, and must pay £1,480 in a fine and costs.

The judge told him: “Your driving involved taking deliberate and real risks at grossly excessive speed with three dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.”

Owen Edwards, prosecuting, said it happened on Sunday, June 10, on the A4212 between Bala and Trawsfynydd and there were speeds of about 90mph in a BMW.

A police camera’s images of what happened were shown in court.

Dafydd Roberts, defending, said it was clearly bad driving but fortunately there had been no accident, injuries or a pursuit.

Parry-Jones worked on a farm, at Coedpoeth and the farmer would provide him with transport to get there during his disqualification.

“As soon as he could he apologised and didn’t make any excuses,” added Mr Roberts.

After the case Sgt Emlyn Hughes, of the Roads Policing Unit, said the officer in the unmarked car was taking part in Operation Darwen, aimed at reducing death and serious injuries, with patrols along key routes identified as risk areas.

He said: “The footage is quite shocking and shows just how dangerous the manoeuvres were with the driver not only risking his own life but those of other road users.”