A man has been sentenced to prison for intentionally crashing into a teenager with a truck following the theft of his friend’s quad bike. Declan Fahey, a resident of Croxdale in County Durham, took matters into his own hands, causing severe injuries to the 16-year-old victim.
Fahey pursued the stolen quad bike in his flatbed lorry and deliberately collided with it, resulting in the teenager sustaining multiple fractures to his face, skull, and leg. Despite denying the charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, Fahey was found guilty by a jury and received a 42-month prison term.
During sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court, Recorder Richard Herrmann described how Fahey targeted the quad bike with the intention of inflicting serious harm on its riders. The court learned that Fahey callously drove away after the collision, showing a lack of concern for the injured individuals.
Despite Fahey’s refusal to accept responsibility for the injuries caused, the court determined that his actions were premeditated and driven by a sense of revenge or vigilantism. Fahey, who had no prior criminal record, was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and sentenced to 42 months in prison, along with a 57-month driving ban.
The victim suffered significant injuries, including fractures to the skull, face, and thigh, as well as potential lung bruising. Fahey’s defense emphasized that the incident was spontaneous and out of character for him, highlighting his positive character traits and remorse for the consequences of his actions.
Fahey’s defense attorney, Chris Morrison, portrayed him as a hardworking individual who deeply regretted his actions, citing positive character references and the impact of his conviction on Fahey’s life. Despite these mitigating factors, Fahey was held accountable for the harm he caused and faced the consequences of his vigilantism.
