Nathan Blagg

Nathan Blagg, 28, was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court to seven years and two months in custody, with an additional two-year extended licence and a seven-year driving ban. Blagg pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated vehicle taking, damaging property being reckless as to whether life was endangered, affray, stealing a car, and possession of class C drugs (Zopiclone).

The court heard that on 9 May 2026, Blagg stole a tractor from a farm near Yarm and rammed it into a mid-terrace house in Middlesbrough. The property was extensively damaged. Blagg was also involved in an affray on 21 April 2026 and later stole a car from a pensioner, which he subsequently crashed on 14 May 2026. Following his arrest after the crash, he was found in possession of Zopiclone tablets.

Recorder Paul Reid described the ramming of the tractor as an 'utterly egregious' act. The judge noted that while Blagg had been aggrieved by the desecration of his father's grave, the defendant's actions caused significant emotional, financial, and psychological distress to his victims. Blagg was deemed a dangerous offender by the court, necessitating the extended licence period.