Probation for man who stole pick-up, trailer and speedboat

Friday 11 November 2016

A man who stole a pick-up, trailer and speedboat, and who later had to be rescued from drowning by a passing jogger, has been given an 18-month probation order.

Crown Advocate Chris Baglin told the Royal Court today that 31-year-old Barry Picot took the Toyota Hi-lux double-cab pick-up, trailer, and speedboat from La Collette marina early on the morning of July 22nd and was caught on CCTV heading towards Mount Bingham.

At 06:00, about half an hour later, he was spotted by numerous members of the public launching the boat from La Mare slip by the Rice Bowl Chinese restaurant at Greve D’Azette.

Shortly after that he was seen "panicking" and "bobbing" about in the water after the boat’s engine had stopped running and he had jumped ship in an attempt to get back to the beach. A concerned member of the public said Picot looked petrified and was shouting "Help! Help! Help!"

Despite, by his own admission, "being a terrible swimmer" and "having no lifesaving experience." a passing jogger, Lucas Parker, swam out to Picot, grabbed him, and pulled him back on to the boat. They stayed there until they were both later picked up by the lifeboat.

A police investigation showed Picot had hot wired the boat and had removed the bung in an attempt to scuttle the craft. He’d caused more than £1,000 worth of damage.

The abandoned pick-up and trailer on the slipway had been completely submerged causing extensive sea water damage, this time estimated at around £4,000. The insurers are refusing to pay up because the key was found in the ignition.

Picot has more than 30 previous convictions totalling more than 200 offences, over half of which are motoring related, including taking and driving away, driving without insurance, and driving whilst disqualified.

His defence, Advocate James Bell, described the offence as a “misguided plea for help” and told the court a prison sentence would be too severe.

Passing sentence Commissioner Julian Clyde-Smith described Picot as “a prolific offender” who has “spent most of his adult life in prison.” He went on to say it hasn’t seemed to reform him and that what he really needs is help. The court therefore gave him an 18-month probation order with strict conditions that he attend drug and alcohol treatment sessions and face random drugs testing. The order will be reviewed every three months.