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

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【Summary】Mercedes-Benz technician, William O'Neill, became involved with a drug gang after developing a cocaine addiction. He was found dismantling stolen high-value cars, including a Range Rover, at a rented industrial unit in Blackburn. Police also discovered stolen vehicles and parts at a nearby farm and another stolen car at a house O'Neill was living in.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 6:22 AM PT

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

A young Mercedes-Benz qualified technician named William O'Neill found himself caught up in a dangerous situation after becoming addicted to cocaine. Instead of using his skills for legitimate purposes, O'Neill resorted to dismantling high-value stolen cars for a drug gang.

In June 2020, the police tracked a stolen Range Rover to a rented industrial unit in Blackburn, where they discovered O'Neill in the process of dismantling the expensive SUV. Not only did they find the stolen Range Rover, but they also uncovered the remains of other high-value cars that had been broken down.

Further investigation led the authorities to a farm near Blackburn, where O'Neill had been living in a caravan. Here, they found a stolen Mercedes, as well as a written-off Jaguar and Land Rover Discovery. These vehicles were being repaired using parts taken from stolen cars.

In 2021, while O'Neill was residing in a different house, the police noticed a stolen Audi in the garden. This discovery added to the mounting evidence against him.

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 stolen cars. Stuart emphasized that O'Neill played no part in stealing or selling the cars and was merely a pawn in a larger criminal operation.

During the court proceedings, O'Neill pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods. Judge Stephen Davies sentenced him to 24 months imprisonment, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, O'Neill was ordered to participate in 15 days of rehabilitation activities and subjected to a three-month curfew.

Despite the seriousness of the crimes, Judge Davies acknowledged that there was no evidence indicating that O'Neill had profited significantly from his illegal activities. In mitigation, Stuart highlighted that O'Neill had since overcome his drug addiction and had settled down with his long-term partner and children since the offenses occurred in 2020 and 2021.