A man has pleaded guilty after stealing a taxi in Holyhead, seriously injuring a cyclist and then driving the vehicle the wrong way along the A55 dual carriageway.
Darragh O’Grady, 31, appeared at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 27 August following the dramatic incident on Anglesey earlier in the week.
The court heard that a taxi was stolen in Holyhead on Monday evening before being involved in a collision with cyclist Richard Owen Roberts on London Road.
Mr Roberts suffered serious injuries including two broken ribs, a knee injury and a laceration to his liver.
He was taken to hospital in Stoke for treatment.
After the collision, the stolen taxi entered the A55 and was driven in the wrong direction along the dual carriageway.
The incident prompted a major police response as officers attempted to stop the vehicle without putting other road users at further risk.
North Wales Police closed the road and an officer deployed a stinger across the carriageway as the taxi approached on the wrong side.
The vehicle was eventually brought to a safe stop between Rhosneigr and Rhostrehwfa and O’Grady was arrested.
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At Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court, O’Grady pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He also admitted failing to provide a specimen, driving without third-party insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Further allegations arising from the events included aggravated vehicle taking, theft from a person and fraud by false representation.
The court also heard about events before O’Grady reached Holyhead.
He had travelled from Ireland on a ferry and was accused of taking a mobile phone and bank card belonging to another passenger and spending £217.
Evidence shown to the court included CCTV footage tracing his movements after leaving Holyhead ferry port.
North Wales Police had previously urged members of the public not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The force also said there was no evidence to indicate that the events had been filmed for the purpose of uploading footage to social media.
The stolen taxi belonged to local company Tacsi Zoe, which described the incident as frightening and traumatic and thanked police for their rapid response.
O’Grady has been remanded in custody.
He is due to appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday, 18 September, when the case will progress towards sentencing and formal pleas on the remaining matters.
The case highlights the potentially devastating consequences when a licensed taxi is stolen, particularly when the vehicle is subsequently driven dangerously on busy public roads.
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S4C News – Man Pleads Guilty After Driving Stolen Taxi Wrong Way on A55
