Tommy Hick jailed for handling stolen goods in Bournemouth

Tommy Philip Hick, aged 42 and of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, October 15, and received a prison term of 15 months.

At around 1.30am on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, the defendant was stopped in the Westbourne area of Bournemouth following reports of suspicious activity involving a vehicle he was driving.

The car was found to be registered to an address in Tower Road West in Poole. Subsequent enquiries revealed that the property, which had been left unoccupied for some time, had been broken into and the vehicle was stolen from the address, as well as other items.

Further property from the address was found in the vehicle, including clothing, ornaments and a bottle of sparkling wine.

Items of jewellery and clothing were also found at the address where the defendant was staying, which were also found to have come from the Tower Road West property.

In interview Hick denied any involvement in the burglary, but did not give an explanation as to how he came to be in possession of the car and the stolen property.

Tommy Philip Hick

Police Constable Chris Raspini, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “While we did not have sufficient evidence to prove Hick was involved in the burglary itself, it is clear he was in possession of items that were obtained through criminal means and he must have been aware of this.

“I hope this case demonstrates that those who knowingly handle goods that are obtained through burglaries and other offences will be prosecuted and face justice before the courts.”