A pair of Southampton men involved in the burglary of Sandown’s Co-op back in February – in which £5,000 was stolen – have not been handed custodial sentences. Billy Connis, 33, of Bernard Street and Thomas Weller, 38, of Mousehole Lane, both admitted burglary other than dwelling at a previous court hearing. Connis also admitted possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and Weller, an offence of driving without insurance. The court heard how the pair were part of a 4 man team that broke into Sandown’s Co-op store back on the 15th February 2024. Alarms at the High Street store were first raised at around 22:10, when Police received a notification of a break-in. At the scene, 3 men – including Connis – got out of a Vauxhall Zafira and made their way to the front door of the store – which had only closed at 22:00. Weller, remained in the vehicle in his role as the getaway driver. A crowbar was used to enter the store, before 2 of the men – who are yet to be identified – took £5,310 from the smart tills. Police rushed to the scene, but the burglars had already made off. The pair of unidentified burglars were able to leave the Island without trace, but Connis and Weller weren’t so lucky and were arrested near Waitrose in East Cowes at around 23:30. Upon searching the 7-seater family car, Police found a quantity of cash as well as a crowbar and balaclava. Weller was also driving the car without insurance. Further investigations lead to a search of Connis’ address and the discovery of multiple curved swords. At a sentencing hearing at the Isle of Wight Crown Court last month (24th July), Judge William Ashworth sentenced Thomas Weller to an 18-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work attached. For the offence of driving without insurance he was handed a 3 month driving ban. Connis was handed an 8-month sentence for burglary and a 4-month sentence for possession of an offensive weapon, to be served consecutively. However this sentence was suspended for a period of 2 years. 
NO JAIL FOR PAIR OF MAINLANDERS INVOLVED IN CO-OP BURGLARY
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what’s the point
they must be laughing at the justice system if you can call it that
Pathetic iow judges no deterrent at all …
How much cheese does it take to catch a cocker spaniel, I’d wager a Dairylea triangle and a mini Babybell is one too many, but which one?
Why why why?? Judge William
Ashworth you should be ashamed of yourself, next time they could hurt someone seriously they came to our island with the intent to rob, you call yourself a judge really!
Disgusting hope you sleep well at night?
So the only thing stopping them coming back for more are the ferry fares. Thanks very much, Mr Injustice Ashworth.
Lets hope thry target him next and then see how he feels
They came over here to commit burglary. Are caught attempting to leave the Island with equipment used to gain entry & stolen cash. Couldn’t get a more open & closed case. Yet Judge William Ashworth probably from some country estate, does not believe these low life scum should spend a bit of time doing bird.
Probably his nephews!!
Wow !
what sort of message does this send out to the criminals
“. . . . took £5,310 from the smart tills.”
Not very smart are they, those tills?
what a joke of a sentence
No surprise, no deterrent. Probably offend again in a little while.
Were probably at it the next day!!!!!!!
Saving space for those fighting for England
Please think.
Courts can no longer give meaningful sentences to criminals now, as our prisons are filled with non British and those offspring of earlier immigrants then classified as British.
So instead of keep asking why sentences are now so weak, think and realise that since masse arrivals have filled our country, then they also have overfilled our prisons too.
Time will make the situation worse.
Labour is the weakest worst party to address the issues.
Reform would have eased the pressure but too late now.
Oh dear. Here comes the fear factor again, blaming everyone else, with unfounded accusations and displaying a staggering lack of knowledge. ‘It’s all the fault of non-white, non-British immigrants who come here and do all the nasty things that good old British people don’t do. Blah….blah…..blah!’ Oh, and it’s all Labours fault and the Librarians in Liverpool.
Idiot….you are a brainwashed fool..
You do realise being born in this country to a non U.K. citizen does NOT make you British, these offspring you speak of are nationals of their parents country, if their parents have been granted U.K. citizenship then they will have had far more checks done than on you, citizenship is a long and expensive journey, try not to believe everything the Daily Mail and Nigel Farage tell you, they are just breeding hate
They must be laughing all the way to their next job. What are the magistrates up to with these pathetic punishments, think I may take up crime as there is no deterrent any more!