A prolific offender who went on a crime spree across the Isle of Wight has avoided prison after a judge recognised his progress while on remand.
As previously reported by Island Echo in December 2025, Nicky Dickinson’s sentencing was delayed after a judge noted his good progress whilst in custody at HMP Isle of Wight.
Dickinson, formerly of Barton Road in Newport, previously admitted 14 offences, including burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, theft from a shop and possession of cocaine.
He hit the headlines back in May last year when he stole hundreds of pounds from laundrettes in Newport. On 23rd May, he also stole £10,000 worth of tobacco and cigarettes from Ultra Stores on Clarendon Road, Newport.
Later that day he broke into a container in Wootton and stole a high‑powered air rifle, raided The Little Cow Shed farm shop in Havenstreet, and attempted to break into Sandown Jewellers. Dickinson has been at HMP Isle of Wight on remand for the last 6 months.
A pre-sentence report was compiled for December’s hearing, but wasn’t used.
Appearing before His Honour Judge Ashworth via video link from HMP Isle of Wight this morning (Friday), Dickinson was handed a 3-year community order with 30-rehabilitation days, 100 hours of unpaid work and a 6-month drug rehabilitation requirement attached.
For the motoring offences, Dickinson was handed an 18-month driving ban.
Addressing the 41-year-old, Judge Ashworth told Dickinson that he is to “stop stealing, breaking into places and driving stolen vehicles” or he will go to prison for a “very long time”, telling Dickinson “the choice is yours”.
ore scum getting away with it lightly. Our justice system is crap. the government must be pampering this low life to buy votes
“The Little Cow Shed”.
What is it about this small business that scum wants to cause them harm?
Send the c*nts to me.
Local businesses, especially a nice outlet like the Cow Shed don’t need sh*t from these type of people.
Whatever.
These judges are a joke they need a sentance themselves for incompitance
What is with these judges !!
He only behaved in prison cause there’s nothing to nick!!
Well that sends out a fine deterrent message!
When are the magistrates going to pass a meaningless sentence to these criminals?
The price of cigarettes thesedays
that’s about 1 months worth
Lol
the real crime here is the shockingly amateur nature of this thief – no gloves, and clearly distinctive clothing
So holding a weapon in public spaces is okay?
I saw that man breaking into one place and it terrified me to see him carrying a weapon.
But obviously the innocent public’s safety doesn’t mean anything.
why are the courts not supporting the police and public? These magistrates are completely out of touch with reality
And on hearing the drivel from the judge he was seen rolling round on the floor screaming with laughter, any bets on how many days, sorry hours after release the filth will be up to his usual tricks again
This is why the public should protect themselves from the scams, there is no justice
Another one gets away with it, while the government persecutes people who tweet hurty words and has them sent down for up to two and half years.
As said previously only behaved on remand as nothing to steal, judges have no sense. Should at least had suspended prison sentence.
Whaaattttt!!!!
That judge must like tobacco and drugs because it sounds like he’s been bribed big style by this waste of space!!??
What would he have had to have done for gods sake?! To go to jail. This is the most pathetic thing I’ve ever heard!!
i’m shocked but very sadly not surprised 🙁
41 years old very sad
Yet if someone was selling cigarettes brought back from
Duty Free the law would be much stronger on the crime.
As Saint and Greavsie used to say
It’s a funny old game!
why do the judges never sympathise with the victims it’s the victims that suffer not the perpetrators they are the ones that suffer .
in this case the guy is a serial offender so bang him up and off the streets .