BURGLAR FOUND ASLEEP IN WOOTTON HOUSEBOAT BED PLEADS GUILTY AT COURT

A court has this week heard how a burglar was found asleep in bed after breaking into a houseboat in Wootton, less than 24 hours after taking a dip in the swimming pool of another property he had broken into. Rowland Tomlin, 47, of Terminus Road in Cowes, appeared from the cells at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with burglary of a dwelling and burglary of a non-dwelling – 2 charges he pleaded guilty to. The bench heard from the Crown Prosecution Service that on Monday morning (19th August), a resident of Lushington Hill in Wootton discovered Tomlin sat on a chair within their pool house with a can of Coca-Cola – which he had stolen – in his hand. Tomlin, who gave the name ‘Toby’ and said he was just looking to ‘get warm’, left the property but was detained by Police nearby. He was found with a can of Coke and keys that had been taken from the swimming pool. He was arrested, taken into custody and later charged and remanded overnight to appear before the court on Tuesday morning. Less than 24 hours before, on Sunday 18th August, the owner of a houseboat on New Road, Wootton returned home to find he and his family were locked out of their home. Utilising a tender to access the property from a pontoon, the homeowner finally got access inside and discovered a jar of Homepride curry sauce on the table, which was out of place. Tomlin was subsequently discovered asleep in bed, to the shock of the homeowner. Nick Muir, defending, explained to the court that his client’s front door had been damaged, was not secure and he did not have the funds to repair it and therefore did not feel safe residing at his property in Cowes. Mr Muir told the court of Tomlin’s drug and health issues, including mental health. During Tuesday’s hearing Magistrates were given details of Tomlin’s 20+ year criminal history. He is currently on a suspended sentence for burglary – receiving a sentence of 3 months, suspended for 18 months, in May of this year. He is also subject to a community order for similar offences. Liz Miller, for the Crown, asked the court to remand Tomlin in custody but Magistrates were minded to grant conditional bail. The case has been sent up to the Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing on 24th September.