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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Woman crashes stolen fire engine | Woman crashes stolen fire engine |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A woman has admitted stealing a fire engine and crashing it while its crew was dealing with a flooding incident. | A woman has admitted stealing a fire engine and crashing it while its crew was dealing with a flooding incident. |
| Catherine Durant, 45, from Pontypool, Torfaen, took the vehicle after crews said damage at her home could be dealt with by "mopping up". | Catherine Durant, 45, from Pontypool, Torfaen, took the vehicle after crews said damage at her home could be dealt with by "mopping up". |
| Abergavenny Magistrates heard how crews were pumping out a flooded property when Durant got into the engine. | Abergavenny Magistrates heard how crews were pumping out a flooded property when Durant got into the engine. |
| Durant reversed into a BMW car and crashed into a brick wall. She was given a 240 hours community order. | Durant reversed into a BMW car and crashed into a brick wall. She was given a 240 hours community order. |
| She was also banned from driving for a year and ordered to pay the fire service £250 compensation and another £200 to the BMW owner. | She was also banned from driving for a year and ordered to pay the fire service £250 compensation and another £200 to the BMW owner. |
| Magistrates heard how Durant's home was one of a number of properties affected by a local flooding incident at Little Mill in Pontypool. | Magistrates heard how Durant's home was one of a number of properties affected by a local flooding incident at Little Mill in Pontypool. |
| Firefighters were pumping out a garage nearby when she approached them for help. | Firefighters were pumping out a garage nearby when she approached them for help. |
| The fire engine was pushing the BMW and the fire engine reversed into the wall Ruth Hale, prosecuting | The fire engine was pushing the BMW and the fire engine reversed into the wall Ruth Hale, prosecuting |
| The court heard after inspecting her property the fire crew decided it could be dealt with "by mopping up at best". | The court heard after inspecting her property the fire crew decided it could be dealt with "by mopping up at best". |
| Their fire engine was parked nearby and had been left open with the keys in the ignition as crew were using the lights from the vehicle to help them with their work of pumping water out. | Their fire engine was parked nearby and had been left open with the keys in the ignition as crew were using the lights from the vehicle to help them with their work of pumping water out. |
| Moments later, said the prosecutor, Ruth Hale said: "They (the fire crew) heard the engine revving loudly and the reverse warning come on." | Moments later, said the prosecutor, Ruth Hale said: "They (the fire crew) heard the engine revving loudly and the reverse warning come on." |
| She said: "The fire engine was pushing the BMW and the fire engine reversed into the wall. | She said: "The fire engine was pushing the BMW and the fire engine reversed into the wall. |
| "A fire officer ran straight to the door, he opened the door and took the keys and turned off the engine." | "A fire officer ran straight to the door, he opened the door and took the keys and turned off the engine." |
| The fire engine was unable to be used to respond to a 999 call | The fire engine was unable to be used to respond to a 999 call |
| The damage to the engine meant it was unable to respond to a 999 call later. | The damage to the engine meant it was unable to respond to a 999 call later. |
| James Campbell, defending, said his client, a sales rep for a food firm, had suffered a "moment of madness and there had been and exceptional set of circumstances." | James Campbell, defending, said his client, a sales rep for a food firm, had suffered a "moment of madness and there had been and exceptional set of circumstances." |
| Mr Campbell said: "She was under extreme pressure and she snapped. She fully accepts it was an incredibly stupid and dangerous decision. | Mr Campbell said: "She was under extreme pressure and she snapped. She fully accepts it was an incredibly stupid and dangerous decision. |
| "Afterwards she calmed down and cooperated with police. They really were an exceptional set of circumstance. | "Afterwards she calmed down and cooperated with police. They really were an exceptional set of circumstance. |
| "Circumstances that will never come to light again. She has learned her lesson." | "Circumstances that will never come to light again. She has learned her lesson." |
| He added that his client had been "humiliated and embarrassed" by the media coverage. | He added that his client had been "humiliated and embarrassed" by the media coverage. |
| The court heard the family moved from Derbyshire in February. | The court heard the family moved from Derbyshire in February. |
| She pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and use of a motor vehicle without third party insurance. | She pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and use of a motor vehicle without third party insurance. |
| Durant was given a 300 hours community order but it was reduced to account for her guilty plea. | Durant was given a 300 hours community order but it was reduced to account for her guilty plea. |
| Magistrates had warned her any order would look at the defendant's anger management as well as possible compensation for the fire service. | Magistrates had warned her any order would look at the defendant's anger management as well as possible compensation for the fire service. |
| Durant must also pay £43 costs. | Durant must also pay £43 costs. |
| Reaction | |
| Following the hearing, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Kevin Barry of the South Wales Fire Service said: "It is unacceptable for members of the community to subject our fire crews to abuse at the scene of an incident, where they are only trying to help. | |
| "To enter a Fire and Rescue Service vehicle and carelessly manoeuvre it into other vehicles shows a total lack of respect for the hard work of the emergency services. | |
| "The actions this person took are totally unacceptable and it is only right that she has pleaded guilty. | |
| "The lives of our firefighters and members of the public in the vicinity were clearly put at risk by such irresponsible behaviour. | |
| "We're satisfied with today's outcome, and are pleased that the courts have dealt with this incident appropriately," he added. |