A dissatisfied customer from a garage, who stole a 24-ton bulldozer and went on a destructive spree across a city after a disagreement regarding his car, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. Darren Coffey, 41, was intoxicated with drugs and alcohol when he took the £385,000 Caterpillar machine on November 8 last year. He caused chaos and around £8,000 worth of damage during his rampage in Wolverhampton, lasting nearly three hours.
Coffey’s reckless driving ended after he collided with a Royal Mail lorry, which was used by police to block the road. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges including dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without a license or insurance, threat to property, criminal damage, drink driving, and aggravated vehicle taking.
He wept in court as he received his sentence at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Coffey had a dispute with Willenhall Autos over a vehicle he owned, threatening to damage it. After stealing the bulldozer, he informed the police of his intentions, leading them on a pursuit through various roads in the area until the incident concluded in Willenhall town center.
During the sentencing, Judge David Perry emphasized the chaos caused by Coffey’s actions and the risks he posed to others. The judge highlighted the damage incurred, including repairs to the Royal Mail trailer and the bulldozer itself. Coffey’s history of substance abuse and criminal convictions were also considered.
Despite his defense mentioning his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and drug issues, the judge decided against suspending the sentence. Coffey, an Irish immigrant residing in the UK for 17 years, was handed an 18-month prison term, with a requirement to serve at least 40% of the sentence before being eligible for release on license and supervision for 12 months. Additionally, he was banned from driving for an extended period and must pass an extended driving test before regaining his driving privileges.
