A heroin addict and convicted thief stole equipment from a yacht in Hartlepool a day after being released from court for burglary
A 30-year-old drug addict and convicted thief has been jailed for 18 months after stealing £10,000 worth of equipment from a yacht just a day after appearing in front of a court for burglary.
Andrew Truswell stole a number of items belonging to the Black Diamond, including a brass propeller and life jackets, when he broke into a shed protected by a seven-foot high fence on November 5 last year.
The day before the incident took place, Mr Truswell had appeared at the magistrate’s court for another burglary and was given a community order.
Black Diamond skipper Calvyn Whitehand received a call from police shortly after locking the yacht’s belongings inside the shed on November 5 to be told it had been broken into.
Officers recovered a blue sail, three harnesses and a number of sailing and life jackets from the defendant’s home, while the brass propeller had been dumped in a garden.
A judge at Hartlepool Magistrate’s Court described Mr Truswell, who admitted to the burglary, as a “seasoned and persistent thief”.
Judge Peter Bowers continued: “Last time you were given a chance was the day before this offence happened in the early of hours of the morning.”
“I know you have problems with drugs but it makes it very difficult for me at this stage to place much credence in your assertion that you will go straight when you are released.”
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