Teens ransacked a Guisborough home stealing keys, a Mercedes A-Class, later crashing it into a wall during a police chase.
They went into every room, pulling out all the drawers before stealing the family’s car keys. Afterward, they drove away in the family car, a Mercedes A Class.
The family returned home to find doors open and their car, worth £13,500, gone. Possessions worth £11,500 were also missing. Police found the stolen car speeding on the A1085 east of Middlesbrough.
The car sped at 85 mph and ran a red light at 75 mph. The driver went the wrong way around a roundabout and even drove on the pavement while police were chasing the car.
The driver crashed into a church wall on Jubilee Road, in Eston, failing to make a turn. The car was totaled, but the family’s stolen goods were in the boot.
Dylan Jeff, 19, drove the car and admitted burglary and vehicle theft. Jason Buttery, 20, joined the group later, getting into the car after 1 am, and admitted to vehicle theft but wasn’t part of the burglary. Alfie Standing, 19, was a car passenger and admitted burglary and vehicle theft, as did Jack Collinson, 18, who was also a passenger.
A 17-year-old male also admitted guilt, pleading guilty to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking. Another teen pleaded guilty too, and the youth court gave him a referral order; his name cannot be shared.
Dylan Jeff is in prison, serving 25 months for other crimes that occurred after this burglary. His lawyer said Jeff was only 16 then, and a youth court referral could have helped. The lawyer said Jeff is immature and now has a child he has never met because he’s in jail. Jeff plans to live with his mom after release.
One teen is now 17 but was 14 during this burglary, and he is in a Young Offenders Institution set to be released in April. Jack Collinson’s lawyer mentioned his immaturity, while Alfie Standing stopped taking drugs. His lawyer noted he left his old friends and now has a baby and sees the child.
Jason Buttery has learning difficulties, and community service would help repay his debt. He stupidly got in the car, claiming someone took him for a joyride, and his lawyer said he cannot fill out forms.
The judge criticized the long delay, noting the crimes happened almost three years prior. The teens should have been in Youth Court, which is faster, and most would have gotten referral orders. The judge called it an “unexplained delay” stating he will focus on fixing their behavior, and punishing them now is too late, like closing the stable after the horse is gone.
Dylan Jeff received a community order that lasts 12 months, requiring 25 rehabilitation days and 26 program sessions. He is banned from driving for 18 months.
The 17-year-old got six months in a facility, and also a 15-month driving ban which starts after his April release, which means only one extra month to serve. Jack Collinson and Alfie Standing received orders that last 12 months. They must do 25 rehab days, and got a one-year driving ban. Jason got a similar order too.