Men Jailed for Terrifying Crime Spree: A Shocking Case of Hijacking

TwoCo Antrimmen were jailed on Thursday for what a Judge described as “one of the worst cases of hijacking I have come across”. Crime Spree Begins

TwoCo Antrimmen were jailed on Thursday for what a Judge described as “one of the worst cases of hijacking I have come across”. All the offences were committed on June 1, 2019 and involved numeroushijackings, attempted hijackings and dangerous driving between Newcastle and Belfast. Several motorists including an 82-year-old man were assaulted during the course of offending whilst some of the vehicles stolen were so badly damaged that they were written off. Declan Anthony Collins, 36, from Graham Gardens inLisburnwas sentenced to four years for a total of nine charges whilst 37-year old Sean Mateer from Helen Street in Crumlin had a sentence of three years and two months imposed for seven offences. Judge Gordon Kerr KC told the pair that their sentences were being divided equally between prison and licence. Belfast Crown Court heard the crime spree commenced at around 11.15am when the pair were observed driving out of a caravan park in Newcastle in a VW Golf. The vehicle was registered to Collins, who was driving despite being disqualified. At 11.35am a police constable observed the Golf being driven dangerously in Ballynahinch and around ten minutes later the same vehicle was found abandoned with the engine running. A short time later the first hijacking occurred when an 85-year old motorist was approached.