A man in the UK is set to serve prison time after he took his father’s bulldozer and crashed it into a pub, an act the judge described as a “revenge” attack.
Daniel Morgan, aged 35, received a prison sentence of three years and six months on May 14. He admitted to charges including aggravated vehicle taking, property damage, dangerous driving, and criminal damage that posed a risk to life, as detailed in a South Wales Police statement.
Daniel Morgan Stole Bulldozer From Shed, Before Driving it to Pub
The incident unfolded on December 4, when Daniel was drinking at the New Inn Public House in Aberdare.
Following remarks about his troubled marriage, Daniel stormed out of the pub, sending messages to the pub owner, Christopher Common, warning, “be careful, you can’t stop a dozer,” and suggesting, “it will be a drive-thru,” as reported by the BBC.
Daniel then proceeded to his father’s farm, where he reportedly took the bulldozer by driving it through the shed where it was kept. Surveillance footage showed the bulldozer leaving the shed and subsequently hitting his brother’s vehicle, flipping it over, according to the BBC.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that his father, Phillip Morgan, witnessed his son taking the bulldozer. Unable to stop him, Phillip quickly drove to the pub in his truck to warn the patrons inside.
“Morgan continued to drive the bulldozer down the main road where he hit and pushed over an Isuzu Truck,” police said in their statement. “He then reached the New Inn pub, where he smashed into the front porch twice causing extensive damage.”
Daniel Morgan’s Father Stopped Bulldozer, Leading to Arrest
After causing more than $29,000 in damage to the building, Daniel began to drive to the home where his wife and children were staying, the BBC reported. Phillip once again tried to intervene, this time using a truck and trailer to try to block Daniel’s path.
The bulldozer drove over the vehicles and continued on, until his father climbed into the bucket of a digger and managed to damage the front of the bulldozer, stopping it.
Police said Daniel was arrested in the cab of the bulldozer.
“This was a thoughtless and targeted attack on a pub,” Detective Sergeant Jenna Herbert said in the statement from police.“Morgan has caused substantive damage to both the pub and multiple vehicles, it’s lucky that no one was seriously hurt in this incident. Morgan will now serve time in prison where he can think about his actions.”
At the time of his arrest, Morgan’s blood alcohol content was found to be one and half times over the legal limit for driving, per the BBC.
His father said he was “shocked” by his son’s actions that day and added that his son needed help, according to the BBC.
Judge Sentences Daniel Morgan to 40 Months in Prison
At Daniel’s sentencing, Merthyr Crown Court Judge Celia Hughes said the attack was motivated by “revenge” and acknowledged that the one-time “family man” was influenced by the break down of his marriage and use of alcohol and cocaine.
Hughes also took into consideration his remorse when handing down the 40-month sentence, the news outlet reported.
The judge also commended Phillip for his “bravery” while trying to stop his son.
