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Prolific Sittingbourne criminal who stole and flogged delivery driver’s car online is jailed

17:59, 22 October 2024

A prolific criminal who flogged a delivery driver’s car online and rammed a vehicle in a flurry of road rage has been jailed.

Sittingbourne thief Darren Regan launched his six-month crime spree in January when he broke into two cars at stole a pair of binoculars.

Sittingbourne thief Darren Regan rammed another car in a flurry of road rage. Picture: Kent Police
Sittingbourne thief Darren Regan rammed another car in a flurry of road rage. Picture: Kent Police

As well as stealing, the 32-year-old committed multiple driving offences, including ramming another vehicle and placing tape over his registration plate before driving off without paying for fuel at a petrol station.

Regan pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Monday and was sentenced to one year and 11 months’ imprisonment.

He will also be disqualified from driving for two years and 11 months on his release from prison.

His crime spree began in the early hours of January 29 when he broke into two vehicles near Sheerness and stole a pair of binoculars from one of them.

A patrol stopped him moments later and the constables found the binoculars hidden in his coat sleeve.

Sittingbourne thief Darren Regan stole a delivery driver's car and flogged it online. Picture: Kent Police
Sittingbourne thief Darren Regan stole a delivery driver's car and flogged it online. Picture: Kent Police

Officers arrested Regan and he was charged with theft and interfering with a vehicle.

But he continued his crime spree on May 14 when he altered the registration number on his Ford Fiesta using black tape and left a petrol station in Minster-on-Sea without paying for fuel valued at £76.21.

Then on May 25, he also stole a VW Jetta belonging to a delivery driver who had parked it in Sittingbourne and sold it online for £575.

A patrol checked on him on June 11 while sitting in the driver’s seat of a VW Polo with the ignition on.

Police arrested him again and he spat on a camera whilst in the police station custody area.

He was charged with making off without payment for fuel, theft of a car, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, no insurance and criminal damage.

But he committed further offences on June 27 after he attempted to intimidate another motorist in Sheerness.

Regan drove very close to the rear of the other vehicle and in a dangerous manner. He then rammed the rear of the other car whilst in Winstanley Avenue.

His vehicle was tracked down displaying false registration plates on July 2 and he was arrested the following day.

Regan was charged with dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, no insurance, failing to stop after a collision, failing to report a collision at a police station and fraudulent use of a registration mark.

Detective Sergeant Barry Carr said: “Regan is a prolific criminal who has shown a complete disregard for the law and other road users.

“Swale will be a safer place while he is behind bars and local officers will be sure to look out for him when he is released, to ensure he does not get behind the wheel of a car until his disqualification from driving has concluded and he has the appropriate insurance and other documentation.”

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