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Daily Record
06-08-2025
- Daily Record
Brazen thieves flee street in stolen car after breaking into Ayrshire family's home
A Volkswagen Golf was nicked from a home in Largs. Brazen thieves have been captured fleeing a street in a stolen vehicle after a family home was broken into and their car keys were taken. A family have been left 'frightened' after thugs broke into their home in Largs in the early hours of Sunday and stole car keys before driving off in their Volkswagen Golf. In a bid to trace the thieves, David Rae, 51, posted on social media. Hours later, a quick-thinking Greenock resident remembered seeing the car and called the police. She spotted the car on Neil Street at 11.30am and, after seeing the social media post, returned at 6pm to see two men rushing back to the car. The quick-thinking Good Samaritan filmed the men fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicle alongside two other cars - one of which was a black VW Caddy. Dad-of-two David, from Largs, said the incident has been 'really scary' for his family and he is thankful for the support he has received. "The worst thing about it is the break-in," he said. "I don't care about my car; I care that somebody was in my house. That's the scary part. "I just want these idiots caught because it could be somebody else's house they're in next time. It could be a house with young children. "You just don't know what they are capable of." David said the family has been 'shaken up' by the incident. He said they normally feel safe when at home on Meadowbank Road, but over the past few days, even the sight of cars driving up to their house has been enough to put the family "on edge". David shared the Neil Street video, which currently has more than 600 shares on Facebook and more than 3,000 views on TikTok, and has had people from across Inverclyde and beyond reaching out with possible sightings. The response from the public to his appeal has been 'absolutely phenomenal', he said: "When I looked yesterday, my posts have reached over 800,000 people. "I have had people messaging me saying the car is in Greenock, and people saying they have seen it on the M74 heading south. "I just want to catch these guys, so I'm trying to reach as many people as possible." Police have told David that his car was last seen in West Yorkshire, although the 51-year-old says he is still receiving messages of sightings in Greenock. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 1.40am on Sunday, August 3, we received a report of the theft of a vehicle from outside a property on Meadowbank Road, Largs. " Enquiries are ongoing. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 0404 of August 3." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Wales Online
Teenager had part of leg amputated because of unlicensed taxi driver
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A bus driver who moonlighted as an unlicensed taxi driver struck a teenager walking home which caused horrific leg injuries. Because of Jarrad Wicks' driving, the boy had to have part of his leg amputated and his life has been turned upside down, a court has heard. The 16-year-old victim had enjoyed playing football, boxing, and riding his bike before the crash, Merthyr Crown Court heard. He had just embarked on an apprenticeship, however that all changed in a moment. The victim's mum told how proud she was of the resilience her son had shown, reports WalesOnline. Rebecca Griffiths, prosecuting, told the court on the night of October 22, 2022, Wicks was using a VW Caddy van to operate an unlicensed taxi business when he responded to a request put out on Snapchat to ferry a party-of-five from Pentre to the Squares club in Porth. A price of £20 was agreed and the defendant picked up his fare. The court heard the passengers got into the rear cargo area of the van - which did not have seats or seatbelts - and Wicks set off with a youth who was helping him sat beside him in the front passenger seat. The court heard that as the Caddy headed for Porth it was seen to suddenly swerve across the road and mount the pavement, hitting a 16-year-old boy who was walking home having spent the evening watching TV with friends. The van then collided with a wall before spinning back into the road. The prosecutor said Wicks got out of the van and was heard to shout at the youth sat next to him about pulling on the handbrake saying "You have been doing it all f****** night". For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter People living on the street rushed to help the casualty and the boy's mum was alerted to what had happened and was soon on the scene. Paramedics subsequently arrived and the casualty was taken to Swansea's Morriston Hospital. The court heard that such was the damage to the boy's right leg doctors decided that the lower part of the limb could not be saved, and following discussions with the patient and his parent the decision was taken to carry out a partial amputation. Meanwhile Wicks had been arrested at the scene and was noted to "emotional" and worried for the welfare of the casualty. He told officers he had been the one driving the van and said his passenger had operated the handbrake while he was driving. In a statement from the victim's mother which was read to the court by the prosecutor she set out the impact of the collision and her son's injuries. She said when she arrived at the scene and saw her son laying motionless on the floor with people gathered around him sheltering him from the rain with umbrellas she thought he was dead. The mum said prior to the accident her son enjoyed boxing, playing football, and riding his bike and scooter, and said he had just started an apprenticeship as a carpenter which was something he really enjoyed. She said all that changed as a result of what happened, and she said she is concerned for what the future may hold for her son. The mum said her son does not like using crutches or his wheelchair and does not like going without his prosthetic foot as he "does not like to be seen as different". She said her son had worked hard at rehabilitation and she said she was very proud of his resilience. Jarrad Wicks, aged 25, of Bryn Ffynon, Trebanog, Porth, had previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. The plea was entered on the basis that he had been exceeding the 30mph speed limit but had been doing no more than 40mph and that his passenger - who had originally been a co-defendant - had pulled on the handbrake. The plea was acceptable to the prosecution. Martha Smith-Higgins, for Wicks, said the defendant wanted the to apologise to the victim and his family and that he is "deeply sorry" for what happened. He said her client had been working as a bus driver at the time of the collision but lost that employment as a result of his conviction, and she said it was clear from the contents of the pre-sentence report that his behaviour had been "immature and reckless" but that he had done a lot of growing up in the years since the incident. With a one-quarter discount for his guilty plea Wicks was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve up to half that sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. The defendant was banned from driving for 39 months and must pass an extended test before he can get his licence back.
North Wales Live
25-06-2025
- North Wales Live
Teenager had part of leg amputated because of unlicensed taxi driver
A bus driver who moonlighted as an unlicensed taxi driver struck a teenager walking home which caused horrific leg injuries. Because of Jarrad Wicks' driving, the boy had to have part of his leg amputated and his life has been turned upside down, a court has heard. The 16-year-old victim had enjoyed playing football, boxing, and riding his bike before the crash, Merthyr Crown Court heard. He had just embarked on an apprenticeship, however that all changed in a moment. The victim's mum told how proud she was of the resilience her son had shown, reports WalesOnline. Rebecca Griffiths, prosecuting, told the court on the night of October 22, 2022, Wicks was using a VW Caddy van to operate an unlicensed taxi business when he responded to a request put out on Snapchat to ferry a party-of-five from Pentre to the Squares club in Porth. A price of £20 was agreed and the defendant picked up his fare. The court heard the passengers got into the rear cargo area of the van - which did not have seats or seatbelts - and Wicks set off with a youth who was helping him sat beside him in the front passenger seat. The court heard that as the Caddy headed for Porth it was seen to suddenly swerve across the road and mount the pavement, hitting a 16-year-old boy who was walking home having spent the evening watching TV with friends. The van then collided with a wall before spinning back into the road. The prosecutor said Wicks got out of the van and was heard to shout at the youth sat next to him about pulling on the handbrake saying "You have been doing it all f****** night". For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter People living on the street rushed to help the casualty and the boy's mum was alerted to what had happened and was soon on the scene. Paramedics subsequently arrived and the casualty was taken to Swansea's Morriston Hospital. The court heard that such was the damage to the boy's right leg doctors decided that the lower part of the limb could not be saved, and following discussions with the patient and his parent the decision was taken to carry out a partial amputation. Meanwhile Wicks had been arrested at the scene and was noted to "emotional" and worried for the welfare of the casualty. He told officers he had been the one driving the van and said his passenger had operated the handbrake while he was driving. In a statement from the victim's mother which was read to the court by the prosecutor she set out the impact of the collision and her son's injuries. She said when she arrived at the scene and saw her son laying motionless on the floor with people gathered around him sheltering him from the rain with umbrellas she thought he was dead. The mum said prior to the accident her son enjoyed boxing, playing football, and riding his bike and scooter, and said he had just started an apprenticeship as a carpenter which was something he really enjoyed. She said all that changed as a result of what happened, and she said she is concerned for what the future may hold for her son. The mum said her son does not like using crutches or his wheelchair and does not like going without his prosthetic foot as he "does not like to be seen as different". She said her son had worked hard at rehabilitation and she said she was very proud of his resilience. Jarrad Wicks, aged 25, of Bryn Ffynon, Trebanog, Porth, had previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. The plea was entered on the basis that he had been exceeding the 30mph speed limit but had been doing no more than 40mph and that his passenger - who had originally been a co-defendant - had pulled on the handbrake. The plea was acceptable to the prosecution. Martha Smith-Higgins, for Wicks, said the defendant wanted the to apologise to the victim and his family and that he is "deeply sorry" for what happened. He said her client had been working as a bus driver at the time of the collision but lost that employment as a result of his conviction, and she said it was clear from the contents of the pre-sentence report that his behaviour had been "immature and reckless" but that he had done a lot of growing up in the years since the incident. With a one-quarter discount for his guilty plea Wicks was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve up to half that sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. The defendant was banned from driving for 39 months and must pass an extended test before he can get his licence back.
Wales Online
24-06-2025
- Wales Online
Teenager will grow up with only one foot because of unlicensed taxi driver
Teenager will grow up with only one foot because of unlicensed taxi driver Before it happened, the boy loved boxing, playing football, and riding his bike and scooter, and had just started an apprenticeship as a carpenter Jarrad Wicks (Image: South Wales Police ) A bus driver moonlighting as an unlicensed taxi driver crashed into a teenager walking home causing horrific leg injuries, a court has heard. As a result of Jarrad Wicks' driving the boy had to have part of his leg amputated and is life has been turned upside down. Merthyr Crown Court heard the 16-year-old victim had enjoyed playing football, boxing, and riding his bike before the crash and had just embarked on an apprenticeship but all that was changed in a moment. The victim's mum said she is very proud of the resilience her son had shown. Rebecca Griffiths, prosecuting, told the court on the night of October 22, 2022, Wicks was using a VW Caddy van to operate an unlicensed taxi business when he responded to a request put out on Snapchat to ferry a party-of-five from Pentre to the Squares club in Porth. A price of £20 was agreed and the defendant picked up his fare. The court heard the passengers got into the rear cargo area of the van - which did not have seats or seatbelts - and Wicks set off with a youth who was helping him sat beside him in the front passenger seat. The court heard that as the Caddy headed for Porth it was seen to suddenly swerve across the road and mount the pavement, hitting a 16-year-old boy who was walking home having spent the evening watching TV with friends. The van then collided with a wall before spinning back into the road. The prosecutor said Wicks got out of the van and was heard to shout at the youth sat next to him about pulling on the handbrake saying "You have been doing it all f****** night". For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter Article continues below People living on the street rushed to help the casualty and the boy's mum was alerted to what had happened and was soon on the scene. Paramedics subsequently arrived and the casualty was taken to Swansea's Morriston Hospital. The court heard that such was the damage to the boy's right leg doctors decided that the lower part of the limb could not be saved, and following discussions with the patient and his parent the decision was taken to carry out a partial amputation. Meanwhile Wicks had been arrested at the scene and was noted to "emotional" and worried for the welfare of the casualty. He told officers he had been the one driving the van and said his passenger had operated the handbrake while he was driving. In a statement from the victim's mother which was read to the court by the prosecutor she set out the impact of the collision and her son's injuries. She said when she arrived at the scene and saw her son laying motionless on the floor with people gathered around him sheltering him from the rain with umbrellas she thought he was dead. The mum said prior to the accident her son enjoyed boxing, playing football, and riding his bike and scooter, and said he had just started an apprenticeship as a carpenter which was something he really enjoyed. She said all that changed as a result of what happened, and she said she is concerned for what the future may hold for her son. The mum said her son does not like using crutches or his wheelchair and does not like going without his prosthetic foot as he "does not like to be seen as different". She said her son had worked hard at rehabilitation and she said she was very proud of his resilience. Jarrad Wicks, aged 25, of Bryn Ffynon, Trebanog, Porth, had previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. The plea was entered on the basis that he had been exceeding the 30mph speed limit but had been doing no more than 40mph and that his passenger - who had originally been a co-defendant - had pulled on the handbrake. The plea was acceptable to the prosecution. Martha Smith-Higgins, for Wicks, said the defendant wanted the to apologise to the victim and his family and that he is "deeply sorry" for what happened. He said her client had been working as a bus driver at the time of the collision but lost that employment as a result of his conviction, and she said it was clear from the contents of the pre-sentence report that his behaviour had been "immature and reckless" but that he had done a lot of growing up in the years since the incident. Article continues below With a one-quarter discount for his guilty plea Wicks was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve up to half that sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. The defendant was banned from driving for 39 months and must pass an extended test before he can get his licence back.
Sunday World
13-06-2025
- Sunday World
Dad-of-three forced gardaí to use pepper spray after being found asleep outside bookies
The Lithuanian national pleaded guilty to obstructing Garda Sean Peyton as he attempted to execute his arrest. Thomas Merkelis was ordered to double his offer of compensation to the court by Judge Raymond Finnegan. A judge has told a father of three who became 'highly agitated' towards gardaí resulting in them having to deploy pepper spray when they came across him asleep outside a bookies that he will have to double his offer of compensation to the court. Judge Raymond Finnegan advised Thomas Merkelis, of The Meadows, Smithborough, Co Monaghan to return to court in July with twice the €250 sum he arrived to a sitting of Monaghan District Court with following an incident on November 13, 2022. The Lithuanian national pleaded guilty to obstructing Garda Sean Peyton as he attempted to execute his arrest and of using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at North Road, Monaghan. Gardaí were forced to deploy incapacitant spray in order to effect Thomas Merkelis' removal from the vehicle he had been found asleep in. Sgt Lisa McEntee, for the State, spoke of how gardaí came across the 43-year-old who appeared to be asleep inside a white VW Caddy van shortly before 4am. When Garda Peyton, together with a colleague, approached the 11-MN registered vehicle, Merkelis' head was observed lying against its driver's seat window. Having spoken to the accused upon noticing a strong smell of intoxicating liquor coming from inside the vehicle, Judge Finnegan was told Merkelis suddenly became 'highly agitated' upon being informed on several occasions of his requirement to exit the van. Sgt McEntee said Merkelis' tone also took a more 'verbally abusive' tone as he grabbed hold of the steering wheel. Thomas Merkelis on the steps of Monaghan Courthouse. Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025 The court heard how because of Merkelis' conduct, gardaí were forced to use incapacitant spray in order to effect his removal from the vehicle. Judge Finnegan was told Merkelis had previous convictions to his name, indiscretions which had dated back to 2010 for road traffic related offences. In defence, Paul Boyce said Merkelis was a father of three young children who had, at the time, been toiling under the strain of dealing with his late mother's diagnosis for a serious illness allied to health difficulties his sister had also been encountering at the time. Mr Boyce said his client had found solace in alcohol and was very much contrite about how events played out on the morning of the incident. 'He was going over and back to Lithuania and was under a lot of pressure,' said Mr Boyce, adding how his remorse had been demonstrated in him coming to court with €250 by means of compensation. Judge Finnegan said that figure was one which had fallen short of the court's requirements, telling Mr Boyce in no uncertain terms: 'He needs to double that.' Merkelis was remanded on bail to a sitting of Monaghan District Court on July 21 for the tendering of €500 in compensation.
