'Extremely stupid' teen spared jail after police chase

Court told 17-year-old is now 'back on the rails'

A teenager from Port Soderick – described by his advocate as an ‘extremely stupid boy’ - has been spared jail after a car chase which could have ended in ‘carnage’.

Charlie Taylor Burt, of Quine’s Hill, took his mother’s VW Polo on 14 June last year; he only had a provisional driving licence and was not insured.

Dangerous Driver

Police found him almost five hours after he was reported missing, at 1.50am, on the Creg Na Baa Back Road; he had three passengers in the car and was driving at speed.

Officers followed him through Onchan where they watched him lose – and then regain – control of the vehicle; despite their efforts Burt refused to stop.

When they found him on Windsor Road in Douglas, just after 2am, the teenager gave them false details.

He later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, taking the vehicle without consent, not driving in accordance with his licence, having no insurance, obstructing police and failing to stop.

Burglary

On 18 December last year, whilst on bail for the driving offences, Burt forced entry to a locked study at the family home.

The 17-year-old raided the safe and stole between £400 and £500; when his mother returned home she found a selection of tools, and cash, on the floor of the room.

Burt was arrested and later pleaded guilty to burglary; in his basis of plea he said he’d broken into the office just to see if he could do it.

‘Absolutely Stupid’

During sentencing, at the Court of General Gaol Delivery, Burt’s advocate told the court the burglary was committed out of ‘inquisitiveness or impulsiveness’ but acknowledged: “It’s absolutely stupid.”

Referring to the car chase he added: “It is by the grace of god that this didn’t go an entirely different way.”

“It’s almost hard to put into words how ridiculous his behaviour was last year.” (David Clegg – Advocate)

Asking the deemster to ‘take a chance’ on the teen the advocate conceded: “He was off the rails. I suggest this young man is now back on the rails.”

‘Carnage’

Describing the car chase as potential ‘carnage’ Deemster Graeme Cook told Burt: “You drove that vehicle on a country road like an idiot.

“It really does sadden me when I see someone given a massive chance in life potentially throw it all away."

Referring to the burglary Deemster Cook told Burt: “That sort of behaviour normally comes from drug addicts when they are desperate to feed their habits.”

Sentence

Expressing his frustration about the delay in enacting the new Justice Reform Act Deemster Cook said he was being forced to sentence teenagers as adults.

"I do struggle with the concept that in 2024 we haven’t got a 2021 Act in,” he told the court.

It was a sentiment echoed by the prosecutor who added: “It’s unfortunate for the defendant, it really is.”

Imposing a 20-month custodial sentence, which has been suspended for two years, Deemster Cook told Burt: “You seem to be maturing eventually and probably at the last minute.”

Burt was disqualified from driving for two years, and until he’s taken and passed an extended driving test, and must also pay £250 in prosecution costs.

A suspended sentence supervision order will be in place for two years. 

Praising Burt’s parents for their ‘outstanding support’ for their son Deemster Cook told them: “Look after him, he needs some assistance here.”