Mercedes-Benz technician involved in dismantling stolen cars for drug gang

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【Summary】Mercedes-Benz technician William O'Neill dismantled stolen cars for a drug gang in Lancashire after becoming addicted to cocaine. He was arrested after police traced a stolen Range Rover to an industrial unit where they found him dismantling the SUV. Other high-value cars were also discovered in various locations. O'Neill, who completed an apprenticeship with Mercedes, was told to pay off his debt by dismantling cars.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 4:24 PM PT

Mercedes-Benz technician involved in dismantling stolen cars for drug gang

A young Mercedes-Benz qualified technician named William O'Neill found himself involved in a dangerous situation after becoming addicted to cocaine. In June 2020, police arrested O'Neill after tracing a stolen Range Rover to a rented industrial unit in Blackburn. There, they discovered him dismantling the expensive SUV. Additionally, officers found the remains of other high-value cars that had been broken down.

Further investigation led the police to a farm near Blackburn, where O'Neill had been living in a caravan. At the farm, they uncovered a stolen Mercedes, as well as a written-off Jaguar and Land Rover Discovery that were being repaired using parts from stolen vehicles. The situation took another turn in 2021 when officers noticed a stolen Audi in the garden of the house O'Neill was then living in.

O'Neill's defense lawyer, Mark Stuart, explained that his client had completed an apprenticeship with Mercedes but had unfortunately developed an addiction to cocaine. When the drug dealers he owed money to realized his skills, they forced him to pay off his debt by dismantling cars. Stuart emphasized that O'Neill was merely "a cog in a much bigger wheel" and played no part in stealing or selling the cars.

During the court hearing, O'Neill, who resided in Portree Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods. He was sentenced by Judge Stephen Davies to 24 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. In addition, O'Neill was ordered to participate in 15 days of rehabilitation activities and adhere to a three-month curfew. Judge Davies noted that there was no evidence to suggest that O'Neill earned a significant amount of money from his involvement in the illegal activity.

In his defense, Stuart highlighted that O'Neill had successfully overcome his drug addiction and had since settled down with his long-term partner and children following the offenses committed in 2020 and 2021.