Rossendale crazed car thief caged (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rossendale crazed car thief caged

2:40pm Friday 21st September 2012 in News

A DRUNK late-night thief who crashed a disabled woman’s £12,000 adapted car after snatching the keys from her Rossendale home has been locked up for 35 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Simon Kierans, 28, had almost rammed a police car before losing control of the VW Golf TDi, smashing into a parked car and lamppost and ending up wedged between a shop and the vehicle.

Kierans was arrested after a short struggle, was taken to the police station and was disruptive, argumentative and obstructive.

He was suspected to be unfit to drive through drink but refused to give a specimen for analysis.

The hearing was told the defendant, who has 78 previous convictions, probably saw the victim's son leave the house to walk their dog and he then opened the front door, reached in, took the keys and shut the door.

Kierans, who has a record for taking cars, dangerous driving and invading houses for the keys, was said to have drunk to excess.

The defendant, of Abbey Street, Bacup, admitted burglary, dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was banned for two years and must take an extended retest.

Michael Wallbank, prosecuting, said the victim Marie Marsden was dependent on her car.

On July 26, her son picked her up from a church function, they arrived home about 10.30pm and the car was parked in the drive.

He went out with the dog and a few minutes later saw his mother's vehicle pass him.

He assumed it was his mother but then found it had been stolen.

When he checked the house CCTV, it showed an unknown male he had seen earlier reach in for the car keys and then drive off.

Police were alerted and at about 11.50pm the vehicle was seen heading at high speed towards Bacup, on Rochdale Road.

Kierans then slowed significantly and suddenly on seeing a police car near the junction with South Street.

The officer activated his emergency equipment and the Golf accelerated and appeared to drive directly at his vehicle.

The officer swerved to avoid a collision, Kierans made no attempt to stop, went towards the police vehicle but at the very last second he swerved and narrowly avoided hitting it.

He then lost control, mounted the pavement and hit the car and lamppost.

He refused to give a sample, was interviewed and made no comment to officers.

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