A 23-year-old East Cowes man broke into a forecourt shop to steal cigarettes and a drink as he was ‘bored’, the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court heard today (Tuesday).
Damon Wilkins, of Old Road in East Cowes, was walking past Northwood Garage on the other side of the River Medina during the early hours of 28th May.
The court heard that he was ‘bored’ and decided he would rob the garage shop, taking cigarettes and a drink – despite being a non-smoker.
Ann Smout, prosecuting, detailed that Police were called to the business premises at 02:15 on the 28th when a burglar alarm was tripped. Officers arrived to find a window smashed, but no suspect.
The burglar was only caught when he presented himself at St Mary’s Hospital some 3 hours later with cuts to his arms. It is at the hospital that he admitted to a nurse that he had broken into the garage in Cowes. The hospital in turn alerted Hampshire Constabulary.
In interview, Wilkins – accompanied by an appropriate adult – admitted to punching the glass until it broke. He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to a single charge of burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal at Tuesday’s court hearing.
Defending, Oscar Vincent said his client is extremely vulnerable and suffers from severe learning difficulties as a result of his brain not developing fully.
Mr Vincent explained to the court that on the day of the incident it was one of the first times his client had been outside unaccompanied since the COVID pandemic hit, having spent around 2 years indoors. It was also explained that the matter was a one-off incident and came at the same time that Wilkins had stopped taking medication.
Taking into account the representations made, Magistrates fined Wilkins £80 and ordered him to pay £543 compensation, £85 costs and a £34 surcharge.
A 23-year-old East Cowes man
In interview, Wilkins – accompanied by an appropriate adult
Oscar Vincent said his client is extremely vulnerable and suffers from severe learning difficulties as a result of his brain not developing fully.
yeah right – straight to the lame excuses.
wilkins wasn’t accompanied by an appropriate adult during the early hours when he robbed the place. He had sound presence of mind to decide to cross over to the garage and burgle it and then make good his escape. He was of sound mind to realise his injuries and was able to make his way, without an appropriate adult to St Marys.
Always inept on the right side.
Never get them so stupid as to give cash away, or to work for free, or to pick up rubbish, or to be nice.
Always dishonest, lazy, trouble and anti social
Shame Whitecroft was shut and ‘care in the community’ meant idiots have a nicer life but ruin everyone else’s
Needed smothering at birth.
the fact that you have resorted to insults, not only invalidates your argument, it proves I am right in what I say, as it is eliciting the expected response from the apologist hand wringers. I note your lack of concern for the owner of the business, the employees of the business, the customers of the business – all who have been affected by this selfish lowlifes actions.
Oft the former though Robby.
The court, magistrates and judges are no longer fit for purpose on this island. Time they resign and let justice be done
I feel any excuse it not necessarily believed by courts but they know they cannot any more jail most criminals unless ultra serious.
So, no matter what the excuse, for it is rarely the ‘reason’, low life still need locking away.
But as prisons are so full of other continents, wrongly assumed ‘cheap labour’ then we cannot jail anyone here unless they are as bad or worse than the imported criminals, and trust me, that takes some achievement.
So unless all non Brits return home, it is unlikely that theft will never result for first time (caught) offenders being put away for any length of time now.
Looks like this guy has a lot of issues. I hope he gets the help he needs.
Nice to see compensation award of £543. Makes a change from a slap on the wrist.
Police were called when a burglar alarm was tripped ! – I called police at 2am to an alarm triggered and was asked to attend premises and check if anyone was inside and call them back – told they don’t turn out to alarms – luckily I didn’t get bludgeoned by burglar. If Police were more proactive then these crimes wouldn’t happen in first place – need more on street’s and for them to check suspicions out. Police are to prevent crime and get involved with community, not just deal after.
This guy must be working for court to give such a high compensation – if on benefits it would never get paid. Maybe could sell his iPhone 12 ?
exactly, however, if you complain that you have been called a name on twitter, the police will be at the door in no time.
Exactly broken Britain today,I agree all these hand wringing idiots do us no favours, it’s time now for a bit of respect & the courts should be tougher, seems to me it’s always excuses, come on ‘they know the difference between right & wrong, they make their choices, there should be tougher consequences!!!!!
Excuses excuses excuses ! They know what’s right & wrong, choices & consequences!!!!!
If they had given him 1,000 hours of unpaid community service it would no doubt have cured his boredom and made him tired enough not to be out at 2 in the morning!
Oscar Vincent again with the bull