A TEENAGER hospitalised two of his passengers just 10 days after passing his test.

Connor Green drove like an “idiot” when he crashed his Ford Fusion into a tree at the junction of the B3084 with the A3057 to Lockerley Road, Awbridge.

Passengers inside the vehicle described how the 18-year-old “was bound to crash”.

Two of his passengers were taken to hospital with fractured ribs and a broken finger.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that Green and his four passengers were travelling along the road at around 60mph.

Prosecutor Graham Heath said although this was the speed limit a normal road user would slow down as they went around that patch of road.

He said: “He was a new driver and the prosecution say an inexperienced driver who probably did not have a great deal of skill.”

Jane Joslin, mitigating, said: “He is remorseful for this accident and it has had a significant effect on this young man.

“He has been left suicidal as a result and his friends are no longer speaking to him. He has tried to apologise to them but he now just keeps himself to himself.”

The court heard that Green now struggled to get to his job as a lifeguard at a nearby leisure centre.

In sentencing Green, magistrates said: “You were a new driver who was showing off to your friends and you were ignoring the warnings of the road.

“You were an idiot.”

Green pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle dangerously.

Green, of Glebe Meadow, East Dean, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and when his ban is up he must complete an extended retest.

Green was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.