Stolen car yobs in dock

Matthew Fricker died on his 20th birthday at the wheel of the stolen car

A TEENAGE yob who survived a crash in a stolen car which killed a Heyside man told police: “We would rather be arrested than dead.”

But driver Matthew Fricker, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, died from his injuries after the Nissan Micra flipped on its side and hit a lamp post after a police pursuit.

Oldham Youth Court heard how Fricker, who was known to police after repeatedly breaching his Asbo, had stolen the car.

The 15-year-old passenger, who cannot be named for legal reasons, walked away with minor injuries. Another passenger, James Peters, had neck and knee injuries.

District Judge James Prowse lifted reporting restrictions on Peters (17), of Ripponden Road, Oldham, and sentenced him to 12 months’ detention and a training order for aggravated vehicle taking. He also sentenced him to a consecutive four months for a separate count of burglary.

The 15-year-old, who is already in custody for other offences, was sentenced to a further 10 months for aggravated vehicle taking.

The court heard how a police officer in an unmarked car had followed the stolen car after spotting it on Ripponden Road, close to the M62, at around 2.10am on September 19, 2009.

Fricker, of Clarence Street, Heyside, had been driving on the wrong side of the road at high speed back towards Oldham when it crashed near the Printer’s Arms. He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.

Stephen Krebs, defending the 15-year-old, said: “He was in the car but he had been banging on the head rest to try and get Fricker to stop the car, but it was out of his control.

“He managed to get out alive and realises that he has had a lucky escape.”