Man sentenced after swimming across Windermere to steal boat

A man who swam across Windermere in the dark to steal a boat from Bowness Bay has been sentenced.

Joshua Stawrowski, aged 32 of Bristol appeared before Magistrates in Carlisle having been charged with the theft of a boat from Bowness Bay on 28 June 2024.

On the evening of 27 June, Stawrowski travelled to Cumbria in his vehicle and towing an empty boat trailer.

Under cover of darkness Stawrowski parked on the west side of the lake in the Harrowslack area and swam across Windermere to Bowness Bay.

Stawrowski climbed onboard the boat and took it across the lake to his own trailer.

He then removed it from the area and transported the stolen boat to the outskirts of Bristol where he concealed it in a friend’s yard. In order to evade police, Stawrowski utilised a stolen number plate to disguise the identify of his own car.

The police investigation was led by Community Beat Officer PC Ben Lawson. 

PC Lawson worked with Avon and Somerset Police to locate and arrest Stawrowski.

In a period a period of under seven days from the offence occurring Stawrowski was located, arrested, transported to Cumbria, interviewed and the stolen property recovered.

Appearing before Magistrates Stawrowski pleaded guilty to the offences.

He was subsequently sentenced to 8 month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, and pay £5235 in compensation.

Operation Headway is Cumbria Police's dedicated operation to tackle the theft of boats and related equipment in Cumbria.

Inspector Ross Woods, South Lakes NPT, said: “I hope this result provides reassurance to the community that swift action is being taken against those who target personal property in our rural communities.

“The theft of boats and vehicles will not be tolerated and those that engage in such activities will face a police investigation and prosecution.

“This should also serve as a strong message to criminals who make the effort to travel into our county to commit crime. We are committed to bringing offenders to justice and we will hold you to account no matter how far away you live."