By Isle of Wight Observer
Two men have been jailed for a combined total of more than two years in prison following a break-in at the Boots Pharmacy on Sandown High Street.
At around 3.58am on Sunday, January 25, an alarm was triggered at the pharmacy. Attending officers discovered a window had been smashed and prescription medication had been taken, which has since been recovered, as well as a till.
Following a thorough investigation 34-year-old Reece James Chilcott of Westridge Road in Southampton and Billy Brian Chilcott, aged 31, of no fixed address were arrested and subsequently charged with burglary, which they admitted at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 27.
Billy Chilcott was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for burglary other than dwelling at the same court on Friday, February 6. Reece Chilcott was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday, March 26 for burglary other than dwelling and breaching a community order.
Chief Inspector Andy McDonald said: “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that burglary offences, which directly impact the lives of business owners and our residents, will be investigated thoroughly and perpetrators will be pursued through the justice system.
“These break-ins are hugely disruptive to our local community, impacting access to vital medication for vulnerable people on the Isle of Wight.
“I am also proud of the work we have done with local partners, including businesses, local NHS services, Public Health, and the council, to safeguard these sites to reduce the risk of future burglaries and disruption to these vital services.”
Mal Butler