Thieves used punt as getaway vehicle

On a "drunken night" James Parkinson, 26, and Khushmet Bardell, 24, broke into 18 boats moored in a boatyard and stole various items including two TV monitors, an electric generator and an assortment of alcohol, Huntingdon Magistrates' Court was told.

After a failed attempt to steal a car the pair and two accomplices loaded their hoard on to a nearby punt and tried to make an escape down a river, but were spotted by a police officer using night vision goggles.

The officer tracked the men until they pulled the punt to the side of the river and began unloading the stolen goods, when they were arrested by police, in the early hours of Friday July 3.

Parkinson and Bardell both admitted three counts of theft and three of criminal damage at Jones Boatyard on Low Road, St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

Their two accomplices, a 17-year-old youth and a 19-year-old woman, have been sentenced separately,

Sylvia Cundell, prosecuting, said the four involved had been drinking and swimming in a lock near the boatyard.

As time went on they all got drunk and decided to steal from nearby boats which were moored on the riverbank and on the jetty.

"It is quite clear reading the victims' statements that these are hardworking, respectable people who use these boats for pleasure purposes and for relaxing following the world of work."

Samantha Jewell, mitigating, said: "All parties consumed far too much alcohol and have been very foolish and wrong in their actions. The alcohol acted as a disinhibitor and unfortunately things seemed to get out of hand. They are both very remorseful for their actions."

Magistrates jailed Bardell, of The Crescent, St Ives, for six months for each of the three theft counts and two months for each of the three criminal damage charges, to be served concurrently.

Parkinson, of Thames Road, Huntingdon, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court at a later date.