A vigilante who used his flatbed truck to ram a stolen quad bike, leaving a 16-year-old boy with a fractured skull and other serious injuries, has been jailed for 42 months. Declan Fahey, 27, of Windsor Court, Croxdale, County Durham, was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after deliberately colliding with the quad bike in Shildon, County Durham.
The Incident
On March 5 last year, Fahey learned that a friend's quad bike had been stolen in the early hours. He and others set out to track it down. Shortly before 1pm, he spotted the quad bike being ridden by several youths without helmets on Redworth Road. In a moment of anger, Fahey pursued the quad bike and intentionally drove his Mazda flatbed truck into it, sending the riders flying through the air. The collision caused multiple fractures to the teenage rider, including to his skull, face, and thigh bone, as well as possible bruising to his lung.
Court Proceedings
Recorder Richard Herrmann described the incident as a "vigilante-type attack" and noted that Fahey did not stop to assist the victims. Instead, he drove off from the scene. During police interview, Fahey did not take responsibility for the injuries, stating, "It's his own fault." He denied intending to cause harm, claiming he would not have wanted to damage his friend's quad bike. However, a jury found him guilty of GBH with intent.
Fahey, who had no previous convictions, was sentenced to 42 months in prison and banned from driving for 57 months. The court heard that the teenager did not participate in the case, so there was no update on his condition.
Defence Statement
Chris Morrison, defending, said the attack was "based on a chance sighting" and that Fahey had reported the incident to police. He described Fahey as "a good man who has been convicted of doing a bad thing," adding that the incident was out of character. Morrison noted that Fahey had always worked hard and that references spoke well of him. Since being remanded in custody, Fahey has lost three-and-a-half stone.
