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Man convicted over fire engine rampage escapes jail

Ross Clarke leaves Antrim Crown Court after been given a two-year probation order with community service for his part in the theft of a fire engine and a subsequent rampage through the town of Larne. Picture by Alan Lewis- PhotopressBelfast.co.uk
Ross Clarke leaves Antrim Crown Court after been given a two-year probation order with community service for his part in the theft of a fire engine and a subsequent rampage through the town of Larne. Picture by Alan Lewis- PhotopressBelfast.co.uk Ross Clarke leaves Antrim Crown Court after been given a two-year probation order with community service for his part in the theft of a fire engine and a subsequent rampage through the town of Larne. Picture by Alan Lewis- PhotopressBelfast.co.uk

A CO Antrim teenager who took a stolen fire engine on a £160,000 drunken rampage through Larne, was spared jail today after he was released on probation.

Ross Clarke was given a two year order on condition he also completes 100 hours community service.

Judge Desmond Marrinan said but for his "toxic and totally inappropriate relationship" with 68-year-old Robert Duffin, who accompanied him in the fire engine, he would never have been involved in "the escapade".

Duffin, originally from Curran Road but now living with the Simon Community, was earlier this year deemed by psychiatrists to be 'unfit' to stand trial.

He had faced 11 charges arising out of the incident.

The Antrim Crown Court judge said while the now 20-year-old was not under the control of the pensioner he was "certainly under his malign Svengali and baleful influence".

Judge Marrinan said although his crimes had crossed the custodial threshold, given Clarke's highly exceptional and difficult background, he was prepared to take the exceptional step in freeing him on the combination order.

However, the judge also told Clarke given the "multiple collisions and near misses" he had, it was "by the grace of God" that he was not facing a series of tragedies.

Clarke, who was also banned from driving for five years, had always blamed the pensioner, claiming he made him take the engine from Larne Fire Station in the early hours of March 5 last year after he had drunk a "crate of beer".

In all Clarke, originally of Fairway in Larne, but now with an address in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, admitted a total of 20 charges, including the aggravated taking of the engine and damaging the Agnew Street station.

His other crimes included criminal damage to six houses, a shop doorway, nine vehicle, including the fire engine, attempted burglary, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and failing either to report, stop, or remain at the scene of an accident.

A £160,000 repair bill included £83,000 for the station and engine, £23,500 for four homes and £53,500 for nine cars.

The fire service in Larne is still unable to use the station and is based at temporary accommodation.

Last week prosecutor Michael Chambers outlined how Clarke, and the pensioner had initially attempted to take a lorry from a bus yard, but gave up after failing to start the vehicle.

The scene of destruction in the wake of the fire engine rampage. Picture by Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk
The scene of destruction in the wake of the fire engine rampage. Picture by Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk The scene of destruction in the wake of the fire engine rampage. Picture by Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk

Mr Chambers said the pair then "jemmied" their way into the ferry-port's fire depot.

Unfortunately two things were in Clarke's favour. The keys were in the ignition, and the vehicle was an automatic allowing him to drive.

While Clarke also claimed the pensioner threatened him, Duffin in turn claimed it was Clarke's idea.

Defence QC Jackie Orr said that while a remorseful Clarke, who has a "severe learning disability", had always made the case that the pensioner was to blame, it did not amount to a legal defence of duress.

Ms Orr said that psychiatric, psychological and probation experts all agreed that Clarke was a "vulnerable adult easily manipulated by others".

She also revealed that since that "night of sheer madness", Clarke had become a recipient of a Duke of Edinburgh Gold and was "someone who has changed his life completely".