Teen told world of wrecking
Nov 3 2007 by Neil McKay, The Journal
A TEENAGER has been arrested after bragging on the internet of a theme park wrecking spree.
Police swooped after the 17-year-old filmed himself on the internet social network site MySpace describing how he had caused hundreds of pounds of damage by using huge dumper trucks as dodgem cars at Diggerland, Langley Park, near Durham.
The youth allegedly drove a JCB into the gates of the complex during one of a spate of break-ins.
Inspector Andy McConnell, from Derwentside police, said: “A 17-year-old youth from Langley Park was charged with a number of offences following several incidents at Diggerland, Langley Park.
“The youth broke in early in October and caused damage to vehicles. He had initially been arrested after he had boasted of his exploits on MySpace.
“He was bailed while police completed their inquiries.”
Mr McConnell said Diggerland was broken into again last weekend. “Damage was caused to the gates and the building itself, where the offender had used a JCB from the site to cause the damage
“The same male was arrested on Tuesday and having admitted to burglary, damage and aggravated vehicle taking, has been charged and bailed to Consett Youth Court.
“He will appear before the court on November 7.”
Mr McConnell said the item had since been removed from the MySpace site.
Nobody from Diggerland was available for comment yesterday.
Last November the owners of Diggerland were hit with a £94,000 bill in fines and court costs after admitting failing to ensure the safety of passengers on a “death-defying” ride in which a military truck plunged into a river at Langley Park in April 2004.
Children as young as two were among 18 passengers on the ride driven by a teenager working at the park in his school holidays when it plunged down a ravine into the River Browney. Durham Crown Court was told the military truck is normally used by Army artillery, engineer and signals units forming part of the Commando Brigade, and the ride “would have been dangerous for soldiers, never mind two-year-old children.”
