Larne fire engine theft: Pensioner and teenager in court

A pensioner and a teenager have been in remanded in custody charged with stealing a fire engine and embarking on a drive of destruction which ended when it ploughed into several homes and cars.
The stolen fire engine was driven into cars and houses in Larne, Co AntrimThe stolen fire engine was driven into cars and houses in Larne, Co Antrim
The stolen fire engine was driven into cars and houses in Larne, Co Antrim

The pair stood in the dock of Coleraine Magistrates’ Court accused of breaking into Larne fire station in Co Antrim and stealing the appliance.

The stolen engine, with its flashing lights on, careered into eight parked vehicles before crashing into a number of terraced homes in Glenarm Road in the town in the early hours of Saturday.

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Residents were met with a startling scene when they were awoken by the crashing appliance around 4.30am.

Cars were strewn across the road – one flipped on to its roof – with the fire engine having come to a halt in the front gardens of a number of the terraced houses.

Robert Duffin, 66, from Green Link, Larne, and Ross Clarke, 19, of Fairway, Larne, were brought before district judge Mark Hamill on Monday morning.

Both spoke briefly to confirm they understood the charges.

They were arrested shortly after the crash on Saturday morning.

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Clarke is accused of 14 offences, including burglary, dangerous driving, driving without an appropriate licence or insurance and aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to vehicles and houses.

Duffin is facing five counts, including burglary and aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to vehicles and houses.

A police constable told the court she could connect the accused to the charges.

Solicitors for both defendants said they had no questions for the officer. They asked for the case to be mentioned again at Ballymena courthouse on Thursday when they indicated a bail application would be made.

The judge remanded the two in custody until the next hearing later this week.