A PENSIONER accused of taking a fire engine and leaving a trail of destruction is from a formerly landed family.
Bobby Duffin (66) appeared in court on Monday along with Ross Clarke (19) over the incident in which the vehicle ploughed into homes and cars.
Mr Duffin’s family once owned Castle Farm, Kilwaughter, near Larne, Co Antrim. Kilwaughter Castle, which was built in the early 19th century, fell into ruin after the Second World War.
Mr Duffin and Mr Clarke stood in the dock of Coleraine Magistrates Court accused of breaking into Larne Fire Station and taking the vehicle.
The engine, with its lights flashing, careered into eight parked vehicles before crashing into terraced homes on Glenarm Road in the town at about 4.30amon Saturday.
People living on the road were met with a startling scene when they were woken up by the crashing noise.
Cars were strewn across the road – one flipped on to its roof – and the fire engine had come to a halt in the front gardens of terraced houses.
Mr Duffin, of Green Link in Larne, and Mr Clarke, of Fairway in the town, were brought before District Judge Mark Hamill on Monday morning.
Both spoke briefly to confirm they understood the charges. They were arrested shortly after the crash.
Mr Clarke is accused of 14 offences, including burglary, dangerous driving, driving without an appropriate licence or insurance and aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to vehicles
and houses.
Mr Duffin is facing five counts, including burglary and aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to vehicles and houses.
A police constable told the court she could connect the accused to the charges.
Solicitors for both defendants said they had no questions for the officer.
They asked for the case to be mentioned again at Ballymena courthouse on Thursday when they indicated that a bail application would be made.
The judge remanded both defendants in custody until the hearing later this week.