THE trail of destruction left after a fire engine taken without permission crashed into cars and houses in a Co Antrim town caused damage in the region of £1.5 million, a court heard.
The details emerged as Robert Duffin (66) and Ross Clarke (19) appeared at a preliminary enquiry at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Both men have had their case referred to Antrim Crown Court for trial.
They are both charged in connection with the taking of the fire engine from Larne Fire Station without permission on March 5 this year.
Mr Duffin, originally of Green Link in Larne but now living at the Simon Community on the town's Curran Road and Mr Clarke, originally of Fairway in the town and now at Drumcree Place, Newtownabbey, were both released on continuing bail.
A lawyer for Mr Clarke applied for two counsel for his client and revealed that the damage caused was in the region of "£1.5 million". He added his client, who is facing 14 charges, has "significant issues".
Mr Duffin faces 11 charges which include 10 counts of criminal damage to property and cars and aggravated vehicle taking. Four other charges faced by Mr Clarke include attempted burglary with intent to steal, criminal damage to the fire station, dangerous driving and aggravated taking and driving away.
Earlier this year a court heard how a fire engine was driven through the town by Mr Clarke, who has a severe learning disability and who had never driven a vehicle before.
The same court heard how the fire engine careered out of control at Larne's Glenarm Road, causing damage to vehicles and properties in the street.
The emergency vehicle's flashing emergency lights were still flashing when it was found embedded in the front of a house.
The hearing was told that the destruction caused was like a trailer for the next 'Hangover' movie.
