Wakefield men with 'no regard' for victims jailed for crime spree

Two men have been jailed after a crime spree including robbery, fraud and theft of a motor vehicle in Wakefield.
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William McGinley, 27, and James Harty, 19, pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including robbery, attempted robbery, fraud by false representation and theft of a motor vehicle.

This included an occasion in Pontefract on October 5, 2019, in which they tried to drag an 84-year-old man from his vehicle and a police pursuit, West Yorkshire Police said.

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They were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today, with McGinley receiving three years in jail.

William McGinley, 27, and James Harty, 19, pleaded guilty to a number of offences, includingrobbery, attempted robbery, fraud by false representation and theft of a motor vehicle.William McGinley, 27, and James Harty, 19, pleaded guilty to a number of offences, includingrobbery, attempted robbery, fraud by false representation and theft of a motor vehicle.
William McGinley, 27, and James Harty, 19, pleaded guilty to a number of offences, includingrobbery, attempted robbery, fraud by false representation and theft of a motor vehicle.

Harty, who was also convicted of driving offences including dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified driving, and using a vehicle without insurance, was sentenced to four years in jail.

Detective Inspector Phil Davis of Wakefield CID said: "McGinley and Harty showed no regard for any of their victims during this crime spree.

"They carried out a number of offences in a very short space of time, only to be caught and arrested after they tried to run from police.

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"We recognise the distress and trauma that offences like this cause to victims and we always treat offences like these very seriously.

"We hope that the sentences act as a deterrent to others, that this will not be tolerate across Wakefield District and we will prosecute."