Man who crashed stolen car into wall told witness: 'Don't grass me up'

Wales Online

a day ago

Man who crashed stolen car into wall told witness: 'Don't grass me up'
Kyle Durham, 37, went on to tell the witness: 'Say it was two girls... I'm well-known round here'
Kyle Durham, 37, took a Mini Cooper and drove it into a wall while intoxicated causing £22,000 of damage
(Image: South Wales Police)
An intoxicated man crashed a stolen vehicle into a wall and caused £22,000 worth of driving before telling a witness "Don't grass me up, I'm well-known round here." He later smashed a friend's flat up and took her car without permission, telling her: "You're not having your car back."
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Kyle Durham, 37, wrote off a Mini Cooper belonging to Rhiannon Williams on May 24 last year in Pontypridd after he had been given the keys by one of her friends. He crashed into a wall belonging to Transport for Wales but left the scene on foot having been witnessed.
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A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard at around 3am residents heard a loud bang in Wood Road and the defendant was seen to pull a woman out of the car. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
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Before he left the scene he spoke to a witness and said: "Please don't snitch on us." Blood was coming from his mouth and he ran off.
Shortly later, he returned to pick up the car keys and again spoke to the witness, saying: "Say it was two girls. I've been to prison for 15 years. Don't grass me up. I'm well-known around here."
The police were called and Durham was identified on CCTV footage and he was later arrested.
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Officers called Ms Williams and told her the Mini had been involved in a crash. The car was written off due to front-end damage and there was a hole in a wall, which would cost £22,822 to repair.
In a victim personal statement read to the court by Tabitha Walker Ms Williams said: "For six to seven weeks I have been without a car and the insurance company has yet to pay out.
"I work as a nurse, mostly agency, so I have to travel... I have only been able to work one shift a week and have had to use public transport.
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"I have lost around £500 to £600 a week. It's had a negative impact on my wellbeing and I feel I am the only person to suffer from the selfish actions of others."
On December 21 last year Durham attended the home of friend Charmaine Thorne and became angry.
He punched a door, causing it to fall off its hinges, flipped a coffee table, threw a television set from a wall and ripped wires which caused it to spark, threw a coffee table at a wall, damaged an Xbox, snapped an iPhone, and damaged a lightshade.
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The victim attempted to get into her car but the defendant told her to get into the passenger seat and he got into the driver's seat.
During the journey he confronted another driver and said: "What's your f****** problem?" before driving off.
Ms Thorne left the car to get into a shop and told staff Durham had taken her car. At this point the defendant said: "You're not having your car back."
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He then drove off and left Ms Thorne to get a bus back to her parents' house.
Durham, formerly of Yr Hen Fuarth, Treforest, was arrested on December 31 after he was seen hiding near a rugby pitch and was pursued by police on foot.
In her victim personal statement Ms Thorne said: "He made me feel really upset. I am too frightened to let anyone inside my property as I don't trust anyone.
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"I am afraid to leave my house and feel isolated from friends. I am struggling to sleep and believe the whole incident has impacted my mental health.
The defendant later pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle-taking, taking a vehicle without consent, driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance, theft of motor vehicle, and criminal damage.
The court heard he has 16 previous convictions for offences including theft from the person, aggravated vehicle-taking, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
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In mitigation Andrew Taylor said his client's life has been "blighted" by cocaine and alcohol but he is now free of cocaine. It was said he now has a new partner and has the offer of employment and accommodation from his uncle.
Mr Taylor asked the court if an order could be made to prevent the defendant from attending pubs, specifically his father's pub where he has access to free alcohol, but Judge Lucy Crowther said this was not possible.
Judge Crowther sentenced Durham to 24 months imprisonment.
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The defendant was also made subject to a driving ban for two years upon his release and a restraining order for two years.