Two men pleaded guilty to burglary after stealing a quad bike from a remote Teesdale farm on November 1, 2023.
Mr. Dalton, 77, blocked the van on the farm track and got out of his car. Two men exited the van. Mr. Dalton wanted to see inside. The two men asked him to move his car.
The men opened the van. It held a stolen Suzuki 500 quad bike taken from a farm building. The trespassers returned to the van and sped away quickly.
The Daltons alerted local farmers, asking them to look for the van. A neighbor tried to find the DPD van and noticed it speeding. A BMW blocked his way, stopping him from getting closer.
Police then chased the BMW, which pulled over. Anthony Etherington exited, and police arrested him. They also arrested a second man; Andrew Ballan was connected to the van.
Ballan was the only insured driver and said he provided the van, staying inside it. The prosecution showed texts between the men, suggesting planning occurred.
Etherington texted Ballan, with one message saying, “We intend to get this thing tonight.” Another stated to, “charge that van up.” It continued, “We need to make dollar tonight.”
Mrs. Dalton said she felt “shaken up” and that it took her a long time to settle down. She feared the trespassers might return and worried about her husband immensely.
Mrs. Dalton saw three younger men confronting him; her husband was 77. It left her feeling very unsettled. Etherington, 34, and Ballan, 41, denied burglary at their plea hearing last July.
Etherington changed to guilty on November 12, and Ballan did the same on January 6, the day his trial was scheduled. Etherington had 22 convictions for 49 offences.
These included theft, robbery, and burglary. Ballan had four convictions for seven offences, including burglary and theft in 2007.
The prosecution argued planning was significant, involving a van to transport the quad bike, a second car to prevent pursuit, and a confrontation on the farm track.
The van has been returned to DPD. The defense lawyers argued about crime categorization. Johnny Walker represented Etherington, and Gabriella Coates represented Ballan.
Coates stated her client now works in roofing and often works away from the North East, stating that he has a good chance of rehabilitation.
Judge Jo Kidd called the crime targeted and said it was planned and organized. She noted they used a generic van that went to the targeted property.
The judge said the Daltons live remotely and are vulnerable in their rural area, stating that they work hard and often earn little for their work.
“The Daltons are vulnerable,” she said, “It is because of their location.” She further clarified that they are vulnerable to people like the defendants, and the sight must have been terrifying.
The scene was in the dark, and three men confronted them. Two men addressed the Daltons directly, which would be concerning for Mrs. Dalton. Judge Kidd mentioned Ballan did not speak.
Judge Kidd stated the van’s use, which Etherington engaged in delaying those following, was strong evidence. Ballan pleaded guilty late, and the couple thought they would need to testify.
Judge Kidd said Etherington’s record was terrible and that he targeted elderly people before. The Probation Service also saw his behavior and considered him a high re-offending risk due to his drug use.
The judge sentenced Etherington to 28 months in prison, reduced for his plea. Ballan’s role was less serious, and his convictions were less severe.
Ballan stayed out of trouble and is employed now, so the judge suspended his sentence. He received 16 months, suspended for two years, and must attend 30 rehabilitation days, along with six months of electronic monitoring.
Judge Kidd warned him about breaches, declaring it would bring him back to court and send him to prison. She also ordered him to pay prosecution costs: £1,631, payable monthly, and a court surcharge of £187.