Man jailed for JCB wrecking spree

A man who left a trail of destruction when he drove a stolen JCB through a Nottinghamshire village has been jailed for four-and-a-half years. Steven Regan, 34, of Colenso Terrace, Leeds, damaged vehicles, hedges and cemetery headstones during the rampage in Church Warsop on 2 July.

Nottingham Crown Court heard Regan had driven "like a man possessed". He admitted a range of offences and was revealed to be a member of a gang which stole plant equipment. The court was told Regan had stolen the vehicle from a Barratt Homes building site in Forest Town, Mansfield.


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After finding himself followed by police cars and a helicopter, Regan drove the JCB through a field and into Warsop Cemetery, flattening its heavy iron gates and several headstones. The destruction was said to have cost the cemetery £15,000. The court also heard he had driven the digger through Church Warsop forcing one driver to accelerate out of his way.

Police eventually caught Regan when the JCB suffered a flat tyre and came to a halt. Regan pleaded guilty to a range of offences including dangerous driving, theft and criminal damage. He admitted stealing 16 other vehicles in the year leading up to the rampage.