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Sheppey burglar admits trying to break into Minster shop

13:56, 13 November 2023

updated: 12:51, 16 November 2023

A burglar has admitted trying to break into a pharmacy using an axe and a craft knife.

Dominic Stockdale took a selection of tools with him in his bid to get into the business in The Broadway at Minster on Sheppey.

Dominic Stockdale. Picture: Facebook
Dominic Stockdale. Picture: Facebook

But he was spotted by a member of the public who called the police.

Officers arrived within 10 minutes of being called during the early hours of Friday, November 10.

On checking the premises, they found Stockdale using an axe, a craft knife and other tools attempting to gain access to the shop through a security door.

Stockdale, of Darlington Drive, Minster-on-Sea, was arrested and taken into custody.

The 52-year-old was later charged with burglary and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

The Broadway in Minster. Picture: Google Maps
The Broadway in Minster. Picture: Google Maps

He admitted the offences at his first hearing before Medway Magistrates’ Court, on Saturday, November 12.

Today, Thursday, November 16, Stockdale admitted two other counts of attempted burglary.

One was at Minster Pharmacy on October 28, the other was for the same business on November 2.

He's been bailed to appear at Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing, a date is yet to be issued.

Stockdale has a bail condition to stay out of Sheerness High Street and has been ordered to wear a GPS tag.

Stockdale in 2018 seen with a knife on CCTV in a Rochester shop. Picture: Kent Police
Stockdale in 2018 seen with a knife on CCTV in a Rochester shop. Picture: Kent Police

This isn’t the first time Stockdale has been caught for his crimes.

In 2018 he bungled a late-night raid on a convenience store and was told by a judge he was not cut out for a criminal career as a robber.

Dominic Stockdale fled the One Stop store in Rochester empty-handed and admitted after being arrested: “I didn’t really know what I was doing.”

Judge Martin Huseyin told the Stockdale when jailing him for two years and nine months: “You were poorly disguised. You are not going to have a career as a robber. It was pretty useless.”

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