Oliver Stoley, a university student, has been in jail for nine months after stealing his mother’s £10,000 yacht. Stoley was reported by his mother, after he took the 30 foot yacht out to sea without her permission.
Stoley, who was studying geology at Plymouth University, and his friend had no experience sailing a yacht, but they sailed for several hours along the coast of Cornwall before getting into trouble with the yacht. Stoley attempted to issue a mayday call but could not give his bearings. Neither Stoley nor his friend was able to use the yacht’s satellite navigation system to give emergency services their correct position. The pair were rescued by a lifeboat after firing off a flare.
Stoley’s mother Annabel was so angry with her son’s actions that she reported him to the police for theft. She felt that he wasted the time of the lifeboat crew, who spent three hours looking for him.
Since the incident, the family has sold the yacht, which had been in the family for several years.
In addition to the yacht, Stoley also stole other items. Two stolen fuel tanks and two outboard motors were found on the yacht. Stoley also admitted to stealing two cheques from his mother as well as leaving without paying at four pubs. Stoley pleaded guilty to two counts of receiving stolen goods.
Article Written by Janice Grover
