Courts / Waterford / Report
"World tour" hitchhiker clung to stolen vehicle after it drove off with his property
Summary
Jake Breen, aged 20, pleaded guilty to ten offences in Kilkenny Circuit Criminal Court for events in Carlow and Kilkenny on 7 November 2016. He used a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser, fitted with false plates, to pick up a hitchhiker who was at the start of a world tour. The vehicle stopped, the hitchhiker got out, and the car drove off with the hitchhiker's property still inside. The hitchhiker was thrown to the ground but suffered only minor injuries. Gardaí pursued the Land Cruiser, which drove aggressively, collided with a Garda car, and then reversed. One co‑occupant was apprehended; Breen fled. Breen was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, and banned from driving for ten years. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, confirming the sentence as appropriate for the seriousness of the incident.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "World tour" hitchhiker clung to stolen vehicle after it drove off with his property. Charges or matters: ten offences arising out of events that occurred in Carlow and Kilkenny on November 7, 2016. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 7, 2016 Incident
- February 15, 2017 Incident
- January 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-04-16 Publication
Why: This lead the sentencing judge to comment on the value of Breen's guilty plea because, as he had put it, once his co-accused had been apprehended, Breen's "goose was cooked". CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: ten offences arising out of events that occurred in Carlow and Kilkenny on November 7, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Brian O'Callaghan sentenced Breen to five years imprisonment with the final year suspended on February 15, 2017 and banned him from driving for ten years.
Places mentioned
- Kilkenny
- Kilkenny Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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