Two motorists who admitted dangerous driving after they were seen driving three abreast along with another motorist on the A11 near Snetterton were told by a judge that their actions could have had “tragic consequences.”

Alex Webster, 21, of Billing Close, Old Catton and Matthew Shannon, 27, of Lambseth Street, Eye, both admitted dangerous driving on the A11, on May 14, this year and appeared for sentence on Friday at Norwich Crown Court.

Martin Ivory, prosecuting, said that the three drivers were seen by another motorist driving three abreast on the stretch of road near the Dog’s Trust, at Snetterton, and the driver had contacted police about the matter.

Mr Ivory said that when spoken to by police, the two men admitted what they had done was dangerous.

Recorder Christopher Morgan imposed a 12-week jail sentence suspended for 12 months and 12 months supervision on both men. He also imposed a 12-month driving ban and ordered them to each do 150 hours’ unpaid work. They were also ordered to pay �250 costs each.

He said: “What you did that day was thoroughly dangerous. The slightest mistake by a motorist can have tragic consequences and can result in death.”

Recorder Morgan also ordered them both to take an extended driving test before getting back behind the wheel.

Melanie Benn, for Shannon, said: “He shows a great deal of remorse for his action.”

She said any driving ban would curtail his career and would also make it difficult to visit his family, who lived away.

Michael Clare, for Webster, said there was no reason to distinguish between the manner of driving of the three drivers as they had all been travelling three abreast. “He accepts what he did was stupid.”

The court heard that the third motorist Leigh Jeary, 25, had been dealt with at an earlier hearing at Norwich magistrates court.

Jeary, of Manby Road, Heartsease, Norwich, who also admitted dangerous driving, was given a two-year driving ban and was also given a 12-week suspended sentence on condition he does 250 hours’ unpaid work and was made to pay �85 costs.