The law has finally caught up with a convicted prowler more than six years after he committed his crime.

John Arthur Cook, 31, from Shelton Road, Pembroke, was found inside a car parked outside a woman’s house in Devonshire in April, 2008.

He managed to escape before his victim could approach him, but was apprehended five months later and charged with prowling and attempting to steal 30 compact discs from the vehicle.

Cook, who was homeless at the time, said he was drunk on the night of the offences and could not recollect the incident. But he later admitted that he had been looking for a place to sleep. In February, 2009 he was given a two-year probationary sentence, with conditions, by magistrate Archibald Warner.

Shortly after, Cook left the Island without notifying authorities, finally returning to Bermuda last month.

Appearing before Mr Warner this morning, Cook claimed he moved to the UK to be with an aunt who had been diagnosed with cancer.

Asked why he had not told officials that he was leaving the Island, he replied: “I was trying to deal with it before I left. I tried to get it before the courts and I apologise for not getting it dealt with. I had family issues. I’m sorry. I’m back for good.”

And asked why he had not approached probation officers after returning to the Island following his aunt’s death, he said: “I tried to go down there but I saw no one there. I’m busy trying to find work.”

But Mr Warner was unsympathetic, telling the defendant: “You were placed on probation in February, 2009 for prowling and attempted theft and then just walked away. Rather than be given a fine, you were given probation but you simply walked away rather than deal with it. You walked away and didn’t come back.”

Mr Warner fined Cook $800 for prowling and a further $1,000 for attempted theft or face 30 days in jail for each offence.

When Cook asked for time to pay the fines, the magistrate replied: “Everyone has family issues and has to deal with emergencies. You failed to do that. You went away while you were still on probation and made no attempt to report to court services or anything like that. Pay the money today sir.”

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