A teenage motorcyclist has been given “one chance” to stay out of custody after dangerous riding through Falmouth left his 17-year-old passenger with devastating injuries.
Finn Barron, who was 17 at the time but is now 18, rode his Aprilia SX125 through 20mph streets at speeds of up to 42mph before crashing into a car.
Truro Crown Court heard part of the incident, which happened in the early evening of August 2025, was captured on CCTV.
Barron overtook vehicles on narrow streets busy with pedestrians and was seen taking his eyes off the road to look at something in his hand.
He later stopped to pick up his 17-year-old friend, who was not wearing a helmet.
Barron then accelerated away, overtook a car and caused two pedestrians attempting to use a zebra crossing to pull back.
Barron, of Argray Court, Carvedras, Truro, subsequently travelled the wrong way around a roundabout in Grove Place before colliding with a BMW.
Both teenagers were thrown from the motorbike.
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The passenger suffered extremely serious injuries, including a fractured skull, a bleed on the brain, a broken eye socket and fractures to his thigh and kneecap.
He needed brain surgery, during which part of his skull was removed to relieve pressure. He spent a month in hospital and had to wear a special protective helmet.
Rupert Taylor, defending, described cases such as this as “sad and depressing”.
He said: “These lives have been shattered. It was very bad driving. They are still friends.”
Barron, who had no previous convictions, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Judge James Adkin said the passenger had suffered “catastrophic consequences” and told Barron: “It is pure good luck that he was not killed.”
The judge also said Barron had tried to blame others for what happened, but decided to give the teenager “one chance” to avoid spending his 20s behind bars by choosing to lead a law-abiding life.
Barron was sentenced to two years’ youth detention, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, given a four-month night-time curfew and ordered to pay £1,000 towards costs.
Barron was banned from driving for two years and must pass an extended driving test before returning to the road.
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