GIRL racers from Newton Abbot have been banned from driving for a total of three-and-a-half years and fined more than £2,000 after a motorcyclist was killed during a night-time speed contest.

Chantelle Tremeer, 22, and 20-year-old passenger Rachel Caraher raced tragic work colleague Dexter Dobeer on the A38 from Drumbridges to Chudleigh junction last summer.

The three took part in the deadly challenge after finishing night shifts on the Heathfield Industrial Estate in the early hours of July 25.

Police were called to the scene of the crash and found a riderless motorbike and later Mr Dobeer’s body.

The defendants claimed that the distance between the motorbike and their Vauxhall Corsa had become so great they thought the race must have been ‘informally called off.’

Both women admitted racing on the public highway.

Tremeer was given a two-year ban and a £1,220 fine while passenger Caraher was handed an 18-months ban and also ordered to pay £960.

The hearing was due to be a trial but both changed their pleas to guilty.

Full story in next Friday’s paper.