Crash victim had car crime past

Antony Wilson had previous convictions for car crime

The 25-year-old man who died after a stolen car crashed on the outskirts of west Belfast on Thursday had previous convictions for car crime.

Antony Wilson died when the blue Honda Civic he was a passenger in careered off the Glenside Road at about 2am.

Police said officers spotted two cars being driven suspiciously on the Rock Road at about 0145 BST.

The police attempted to block the road, but their own vehicle was rammed and the cars made off.

A few minutes later another patrol car found a blue Honda Civic car crashed into a hedge on the Glenside Road. The passenger in the vehicle was dead.

The driver, a 25-year-old man, was arrested. Police believe the car, and another later found burnt-out, had both been stolen.

The other vehicle, a maroon Toyota Corina, was found in the Colinbrook area.

West Belfast Sinn Féin assembly member Paul Butler said the area had been "ravaged by car crime in the past".

Advertisement

West Belfast Sinn Féin assembly member Paul Butler speaking after the incident

"Reports indicate that this car was stolen and engaged in death driving. This sad and unnecessary incident shows very clearly the consequences for those people who choose to engage in this type of deadly behaviour," he said.

SDLP Lisburn Councillor Matthew McDermott has called on people with information to come forward.

The Police Ombudsman has said it plans to investigate the circumstances surroundng the crash.