Darlington burglar crashed into house after telling girlfriend he would kill them both

Peter O'Neill, 22, was sentenced for the crash at the same time as appearing alongside two other men for more than a dozen burglaries and thefts in North Yorkshire.

Teesside Crown Court heard how O'Neill was high on heroin, glue and alcohol when he crashed into the kitchen of the property in Park Lane, Darlington on June 11 last year.

DAMAGE: The kitchen of the property in Park Lane, Darlington, after the car driven by Peter O'Neill had crashed into it

AFTERMATH: The scene after the VW Golf driven by Peter O'Neill crashed into the house in Park Lane in Darlington

His girlfriend told police how the defendant - who had never passed a driving test - drove the Volkswagen Golf at speed through the streets after arguing with a friend.

After becoming increasing aggressive towards his partner, O'Neill told her "you think you've got problems, you should try living my life" before saying "I'll tell you what I'll do I'll kill us both".

He then swerved off the road, across a garden and into the house.

The court was told that the occupant and her two young children were in the property at the time but were uninjured.

O'Neill wiped his fingerprints from the car keys after the crash and then pressed them into the hand of his girlfriend - who had managed to crawl from the car - before running off.

The court heard how the girlfriend still needs physiotherapy for a back injury and has not worked since the crash.

She also takes painkillers and anti-depressants, and is fearful of leaving the house.

O'Neill, of Estoril Road South, Darlington, was charged with dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following the incident.

He appeared in court alongside Ben Mills, 23, of Fenby Road, Darlington and Harry French, 30, of Geneva Road, Darlington.

JAILED: Ben Mills, left, and Harry French

All three were charged with conspiracy to commit burglaries and conspiracy to commit thefts from motor vehicles.

The men were arrested after 16 shed, garage and car break-ins in the Richmond, Catterick Garrison and Hurworth areas between February and April last year.

Among the items taken were high-value mountain bikes, sat nav devices, power tools and fishing equipment.

All three men pleaded guilty to the charges at earlier hearings.

Dan Cordey, mitigating for O'Neill, said his client had not deliberately crashed and was just trying to scare his girlfriend.

Sentencing O'Neill to four years in prison for the crash and the burglaries, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC said: "You were a lethal menace to your girlfriend and other road users."

Mills was sentenced to 30 months for his part in the conspiracies with the court hearing he was the registered carer for his mother, while French, who only took part in four burglaries in Catterick Garrison, was given a 32-month sentence.

He had only been out of prison eight days when these offences took place.