Prolific Criminal Jailed For Multiple Thefts

A prolific criminal has been jailed following multiple thefts and driving offences in Swale.

Darren Regan started his crime spree in the early hours of Monday 29th January 2024. He gained entry to two vehicles at addresses near Sheerness and stole a pair of binoculars from one of them. A short time later he was stopped by a patrol and the constables found the binoculars hidden in his coat sleeve. Regan was arrested and later charged with theft and interfering with a vehicle.

Later on in the year on Tuesday 14th May, Regan altered the registration number on his Ford Fiesta using black tape and left a petrol station in Minster-on-Sea without paying for fuel to a value of £76.21. On Saturday 25th May, Regan also stole a VW Jetta belonging to a delivery driver who had parked it in Sittingbourne and subsequently sold it online for £575. He was then checked by a patrol on Tuesday 11th June while sitting in the driver’s seat of a VW Polo with the ignition on. He was arrested and spat on a camera whilst in the police station custody area. Regan was charged with making off without payment for fuel, theft of a car, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, no insurance and criminal damage.

He committed further offences on Thursday 27th June after he attempted to intimidate another motorist in Sheerness. Regan drove very close to the rear of the other vehicle and in a dangerous manner. He then rammed the rear of the other car whilst in Winstanley Avenue. Regan’s vehicle was tracked down displaying false registration plates on Tuesday 2nd July and he was arrested on the following day. He was charged with dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, no insurance, failing to stop after a collision, failing to report a collision at a police station and fraudulent use of registration mark.

Regan, of Oak Road, Sittingbourne, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Monday 14th October was sentenced to one year and 11 months’ imprisonment. The 32-year-old will also be disqualified from driving for two years and 11 months on his release from prison.

Detective Sergeant Barry Carr told SFM News: "Regan is a prolific criminal who has shown a complete disregard for the law and other road users. Swale will be a safer place while he is behind bars and local officers will be sure to look out for him when he is released, to ensure he does not get behind the wheel of a car until his disqualification from driving has concluded and he has the appropriate insurance and other documentation."