A man in his twenties and two youths caused ‘extensive damage’ to vehicles on the forecourt of Alan Myerscough Ltd’s Ford dealership in Ulverston, resulting in total damages exceeding £63,000, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard.
Regan Satterthwaite, 21, and two teenagers (who cannot be named) climbed a fence to enter the grounds in the early hours of February 25 last year. Prosecutor Peter Kelly told the court they accessed four insecure vehicles, including two £52,000 Wildtrak Ford pickup trucks, a campervan, and another vehicle with an RRP of £73,000.
CCTV footage captured one of the pickup trucks being accessed. Mr Kelly explained: “The engine was started and the lights switched on. The vehicle was driven in a stop start motion on the forecourt. It shunted back and forth into other vehicles causing other cars to move. The three defendants were seen in the vehicle.”
Forensic analysis of fingerprints led to the identification of the three individuals. Mr Kelly stressed the “high harm that has been caused. It is clear this has had financial repercussions on members of staff.”
Defending Satterthwaite, solicitor Trystan Roberts stated that his client had no previous convictions and was 19 at the time, “experimenting with using substances” and engaging in anti-social behaviour. He described the actions as “sheer recklessness and youthful ignorance,” arguing that the defendants were “appalled when they discovered the potential value” of the damage.
Magistrates sentenced Satterthwaite to an 18-month community order with 220 hours of unpaid work and 10 RAR days. The two teenagers received six- and eight-month youth rehabilitation orders. All three were jointly ordered to pay £666.66 in compensation to cover the dealership’s insurance excess.
Source: Daily Mail