Charity bag deliverer in stolen van smash
A charity bag collector from Lithuania had only been living in a Mid Wales town for two days when he stole a van, crashed it into a car and narrowly avoided running over a police officer, a court heard.
Dmitrij Svec stole a friend's work van before driving it the wrong way up Broad Street in Newtown, hitting a Toyota Hylux which was parked on the side of the road.
Svec failed to stop so a nearby police officer dived in front of him to get him to stop, but Svec carried on driving, causing the officer to dive out of the way at the last moment.
Svec then drove away and dumped the Mercedes van on Severn Road, before being tracked down the next day.
Svec, 20, of Cledan, Treowen, Newtown, appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court yesterday where he admitted five charges in relation to the incident.
He admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, driving without a licence, driving with no insurance, failing to stop following an accident and failing to report an accident.
He was banned from driving for the next 12 months, fined £110, given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay Rachel Nixon, the owner of the damaged Toyota £350 compensation.
He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge, but no contribution to costs.
Mr Matthew Ellis, prosecuting, said: "The incident happened on April 13, when the defendant took his housemate's work van without permission.
"He drove it into the centre of Newtown and went around a few public houses chatting to people and settling in the area.
"Later that evening he got back into the van and drove the wrong way up Broad Street. Officers were on patrol and heard a loud bang.
"The van had collided with a Toyota Hylux and an officer stepped out and raised a hand to get the van to stop. However, the officer had to pirouette out of the way as the van was not stopping."
Mr Ellis said the van was tracked down later that night and Svec was arrested and interviewed.
Mr Paul Inns, for Svec, said his client was fully co-operative with the police and was remorseful.
He said: "My client had only been in the country for two days and he took the van without asking which he is very sorry for. He is remorseful of his actions and has apologised. He has also started work as a charity bag collector."
