Criminal jailed for six-month crime spree across Swale

Darren Regan has been jailed for a spate of crimes
-Credit: (Image: Kent Police)


A man who conducted a six-month crime spree across Kent has been jailed. Darren Regan started his criminal reign in the early hours of January 19, 2024, when he broke into two vehicles at addresses near Sheerness, stealing a pair of binoculars from one.

A short time later, he was stopped by a patrol and the constables found the binoculars hidden in his coat sleeve. Regan was arrested and later charged with theft and interfering with a vehicle.

The officers also recovered CCTV footage of Regan near the scene of the crimes. Later that year on May 14, Regan altered the registration number on his Ford Fiesta using black tape and left a petrol station in Minster-on-Sea without paying for fuel to a value of £76.21.

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On May 25, Regan also stole a VW Jetta belonging to a delivery driver who had parked it in Sittingbourne and subsequently sold it online for £575. He was then checked by a patrol on June 11 while sitting in the driver’s seat of a VW Polo with the ignition on.

He was arrested and later spat on a camera while in the police station custody area. Regan 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.

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 while in Winstanley Road. Regan’s vehicle was tracked down displaying false registration plates on July 2 and he was arrested on the following day.

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

Regan, of Oak Road, Sittingbourne, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Monday, October 14 was sentenced to one year and 11 months’ imprisonment. The 32-year-old will also be disqualified from driving for two years and 11 months on his release from prison.

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."