A driver who left his friend brain-damaged after a TikTok trend went wrong has been sentenced in court.

Connor Pace had met up with a group of fellow car enthusiasts at Ravenside Retail Park, Bexhill, on the evening of 17 January this year.

The group had spoken about a viral trend which involves riding on the bonnet of a moving car. Pace, 23, decided to carry out this manoeuvre in his Seat Leon and one of them voluntarily climbed onto his bonnet while the car was stationary. Pace proceeded to drive around the car park for approximately 17 seconds, before the victim fell off and struck his head on the ground.

An ambulance arrived within minutes of being called and the man was taken to hospital with a serious head injury. He did not regain consciousness for almost a month, when it was confirmed he had suffered a traumatic brain injury requiring multiple surgeries and medical procedures.

In his impact statement, the 23-year-old victim, from St Leonards, said he has been left severely affected by the incident both physically and mentally.

His mother, who has returned from Cornwall to Sussex to be his full-time carer, added that the incident has changed her life forever.

Pace, a bus driver, of St Helens Park Road, Hastings, was interviewed under police caution and denied careless or dangerous driving.

However, following an investigation which included taking witness statements and reviewing CCTV from the scene, he was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing and appeared before Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday 26 November, where he was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work. In addition, he will be monitored by an electronic tag between 8pm and 8am for the next eight weeks, and must take an extended re-test should he wish to drive again.

Detective Constable David Symonds said: “It goes without saying that the actions of the defendant were mindless and irresponsible, and that is reflected by the severity of the injuries sustained by the victim.

“I am confident Pace did not intend to cause serious injury but nevertheless, he should never had placed himself in this situation in the first place.

“Cars are not toys; they are extremely powerful machines which can cause significant damage or injury. Pace’s irresponsible actions that evening have changed both his own life and his victim’s life irreparably.”