A 30-year-old Isle of Wight man, who was captured on CCTV kicking the staff section door at Newport Bus Station, has pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage and theft.
Andrew Downard, of Union Street, Ryde, appeared at Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (4th March), where he admitted to damaging a door at Newport Bus Station on 23rd January.
He also admitted to having shoplifted from Sainsbury’s – just down the road from his home address – on 7th February, as well as at the Co-op on Anglesea Street on 22nd February.
Leah Dillon, prosecuting, showed the court CCTV footage of Downard aggressively kicking a staff section door at the bus station twice, causing ‘significant damage’.
Downard’s 2 theft charges refer to him stealing a sandwich and a can of Monster on 7th February, and a crate of Stella Artois, on 22nd February.
He has 20 previous convictions from 56 offences, with 12 previous property-related and 5 theft-related. His last conviction was in April 2024, where was handed a prison sentence for using threatening words and carrying a bladed article.
Oscar Vincent, defending, explained that Downard is diagnosed with schizophrenia and due to his homeless status, ‘currently living rough in a tent’, has been unable to access medication. This lack of medication can cause Downard to hallucinate.
Mr Vincent also said that Downard had been the victim of an assault prior to the incident at Newport Bus Station, placing him under stress, which makes him even more susceptible to hallucinations.
On 23rd January, Downard had been experiencing auditory hallucinations which caused him to become aggressive and kick the bus station door ‘in frustration’.
It was his homelessness which drove him to shoplifting, being “hungry, homeless and had no money”, said Mr Vincent.
Magistrates ordered Downard to pay £500 in compensation to Newport Bus Station for the damage caused to their staff section door, as well as £19 to Coop and £5.40 to Sainsbury’s for the goods stolen.
That’s a great excuse, what next!,
the sun was in his eyes.
Lol
Yes the £500 fine will really help with his schizophrenia. Great service Isle of Wight mental health team.
What happened to the prison sentence? Suspended I presume. Otherwise he wouldn’t have been out to commit the offences and perhaps had some help in prison to overcome his problems.