A 13-year-old passenger who tried to collide with garda officers while driving at 100 km/h as part of a car theft offence was jailed for one year, reports Breaking News.
After hearing evidence about the boy’s crimes, Judge Miriam Walsh commented: “It is a long time since I have been stunned into silence”.
The boy, now 14, pleaded guilty at Dublin Children’s Court to 34 charges of stealing a car, dangerous driving during a high-speed chase, criminal damage, stealing a bicycle, failing to attend court and driving without a license or insurance.
Fourteen officers charged him with driving offences committed between October and August 2022 in the Tallaght area.
Garda Luke Beattie, his manager, presented the information on behalf of his colleagues, reports Breaking News.
He testified in court that on October 30, 2022, the teenager damaged the bell and seats of a Dublin bus to the tune of around €100.
The court heard that a few weeks later the teenager damaged a USB port on another bus.
On February 27, Garda patrol officers saw a “suspicious” Toyota Vitz car in the lock-up which failed to stop when signalled.
The boy overtakes other vehicles at 100 km/h in a residential area, twice the local speed.
The court found that the boy was driving at a speed of 120 km/h where the speed limit is 50 km/h.
Garda Beattie said the boy stole another Toyota Vitz in Ballycullen on February 15. He drives dangerously and then abandons his car, but is caught nearby.
A bicycle was stolen at Citywest in July, a court heard.
Later that month he stole another Toyota Vitz in Tallaght, ignoring police who signalled him to stop.
On August 1, he stole a Toyota Aqua from Ballybrack, which officers in Naas, Co Kildare recovered.
He ran three red lights before leaving the car.
The boy remained silent throughout the hearing and was remanded at Oberstown Children’s Remand Center after the court revoked his bail in August.
The probation report and victim impact statement were given before the judge concluded the case with a sentence of 12 months, backdated two months to take account of time spent in custody, reports Breaking News.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.