Teen thief trashes car in 18-mile police chase joy ride
A car thief and his accomplice wrecked a car on an 18-mile joy ride after stealing it from a local garage. Teenager Edward Jefferson-Coode took a Toyota Aygo from the Flora Motors garage in Helston, and with his partner in crime Christopher Almand, drove it 18 miles to Marazion were police finally caught up with them.
A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court today (Friday, January 17) was told how the pair had gone to the garage in the early hours of the morning on June 7 last year and broke into the garage using tools such as a hammer. Not only did the pair smash up windows to gain access into the garage but they stole a bunch of car keys from within the office and drove off with one of the cars.
The courtesy car, complete with the garage's livery, was driven off with Jefferson-Coode in the passenger seat towards Penzance and was spotted just as they left the garage by one of the employees while on their way to work. The staff member alerted officers in a passing police car to the theft and break-in.
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The court was told that a police chase ensued and Jefferson-Coode, in the passenger seat, and his friend, were seen speeding at 60mph in a 40mph zone and at more than 45mph in a 20mph zone after reaching Marazion where automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) police cameras tracked them to.
The court was told that the pair drove so fast and so badly, swerving all over the place, that they blew a tyre but continued on, causing wheel rim gouges in the road.
They were eventually cornered by officers from Devon and Cornwall Police but legged it from the vehicle with 19-year-old Jefferson-Coode being spotted a short while later as he acted suspiciously by the road side.
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The court was told that the vehicle the pair took sustained damage up to £17,500 while the six stolen car keys each cost £300 and there was broken window in the garage that needed to be replaced at a cost of about £600.
In police interviews, Jefferson-Coode, from Monument Road in Helston, admitted being the passenger in the car at the time. He later pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated vehicle taking - ( being carried on ) and dangerous driving and another count of burglary of a non dwelling property.
In his defence, his barrister said the teenager, who had been 18 at the time of the offence, had been a man of previous good character, adding that he's not someone who has done anything like this before, and certainly has not done anything like this since.
He said Jefferson-Coode had had some personal difficulties in his life at the time of the offences as well as issues with cannabis and is now doing an apprenticeship to go into the construction industry.
His barrister added: "He regrets his decision in this case and he's doing his best to avoid any association with Mr Almand and now keeps himself to himself to stay out of trouble."
His Honour Judge Simon Carr said he hoped this was the only time Jefferson-Coode would ever get involved with the justice system and warned him that should this turn out not to be so, he would spend many years at Exeter Prison.
He said: "That no-one was killed or injured that day is a matter of luck. You were previously of good character and have been addressing the problems you were facing at the time. You have an apprenticeship ahead of you. That's the only thing that should be. You have to stop using cannabis. If you breach that order you will go to prison."
Jefferson-Coode was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years, as well as 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirement. A four-month curfew was also imposed and he was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Judge Carr added: "You are very lucky. Make sure this doesn't happen again."
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