WOOTTON MAN STOLE HONDA CIVIC BECAUSE IT WAS HIS ‘FAVOURITE CAR’

A Wootton man who crashed a stolen car into a barrier on the dual carriageway last month took the vehicle because it was his ‘favourite car’, a court has heard. George Swain, 25, of Mary Rose Avenue in Wootton, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court this afternoon (Tuesday) via video link from HMP Isle of Wight having previously admitted driving without insurance, driving with a licence, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving as well as 2x assault a person occasioning actual bodily harm. Prosecuting, Liz Miller, told the court that between 07:30 and 11:00 on 10th April, Swain went to a premises on Lushington Hill in Wootton and stole a red Honda Civic Type-R. The vehicle in question was unlocked and had the keys inside, with the court told that it was planned by the owner that their partner would come and pick the vehicle up whilst they were at work. Having got into the drivers seat of the car and started the engine, Swain proceeded to drive into Newport making several runs up and down the dual carriageway. CCTV showed in court captured Swain – who was waiting at the lights at the top of the northbound carriageway – make a U-turn in the middle of the junction before colliding with a grass verge and a barrier. Then some minutes later having done a lap of the dual, despite the vehicle having sustained serious damage to the front end, Swain made a 2nd U-turn and proceeded down the dual carriageway towards Newport Town Centre where – just moments later – he crashed again after attempting to weave through the traffic.   Police and paramedics were rapidly on scene, quickly arresting Swain before taking him to the nearby St Mary’s Hospital. It was at the hospital that Swain told Police it was ‘his’ car. At today’s hearing, the court heard about a duo of assault occasioning actual bodily harm incidents committed by Swain at the hospital back on 3rd February. The court heard how Swain became angry at being told to stop vaping and that he became aggressive when confronted by staff, punching one of them in the face and trying to bite another whilst restrained on the floor. Defending the 25-year-old, Michael McGoldrick told the court that his client took the vehicle in question because it was his favourite car and he wanted to drive it. Magistrates deemed their sentencing powers insufficient and so the case was sent to the Isle of Wight Crown Court where Swain will next appear on 22nd May.