Worrigee man Tourin Tarrant convicted of Shoalhaven River houseboat robbery

Tourin Tarrant, 36, of Worrigee, described by police as a recidivist property offender, who has a lengthy history of failing to appear in court, was also fined $600 and ordered to pay $300 in compensation.

The court heard he broke into a two-level, 11-metre houseboat, Escape, moored at Fisherman's Bay in the Shoalhaven River earlier this year, stealing a number of items worth almost $4000 and soiled the bed.

Tarrant was on bail at the time for break enter and steal and was further charged with stealing from a vessel in port and intentionally damaging property.

Court papers said some time between 2pm on February 2 and 6.40am February 9, Tarrant got on board the vessel, breaking in through a screen on a window, stayed on board for a period of time, including sleeping in the bed and then stole a number of items.

The owner found the rear door open when he returned to the vessel on February 9 and a pair of wet boardshorts hanging over the electrical box.

Inside, property had been strewn about the houseboat and a number of items including wetsuits, various clothing, sunglasses, fishing reels, a kayak, life jacket, binoculars, camera and a torch were missing.

Forensic police officers inspected the boat, taking photographs and DNA samples from a waterbottle and a pillow, which were later matched to Tarrant.

Police said the shower onboard and cookery utensils had been used, food consumed and the bed slept in and soiled.

In Nowra Local Court on Monday, October 28, Magistrate Gabriel Fleming placed him on a 12-month intensive corrections order, meaning he can serve his sentence in the community rather than behind bars.

Read more: Crime/Court

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