Burglar who tried to swim away from police jailed

A custody picture of Chad Lambert. He is wearing a dark grey hoodie, zipped up to the top, and has very short dark blonde hair.
Chad Lambert was arrested on a small island in Eastville Park after trying to escape police [Avon and Somerset Police]

A burglar who attempted to evade capture by police by swimming across a lake has been jailed.

Chad Lambert, 35, of Cobourg Road, Bristol, was sentenced at Bristol Magistrates' Court after admitting to aggravated burglary.

The court heard how on 19 October he was noticed acting suspiciously in a shop on Averay Road, Bristol, and, when challenged, smashed a window to get behind the counter, grabbed a bottle of wine and took the contents of the till.

He then ran into nearby Eastville Park where he discarded clothing and a bag before running into the lake.

Black and white drone footage taken from high above the island. The water is dark around a clump of lighter trees and bushes in shades of grey. Chad Lambert can be seen from some distance, illuminated in red. We have added a bold red circle around him as he is quite difficult to see due to the angle and distance.
Police drone footage shows Lambert walking through dense foliage on the island [Avon and Somerset Police]

He was then seen to swim to the small island in the middle of the lake.

Police officers chased Lambert on foot, with the drone unit then being deployed to follow his movements through the trees and bushes on the island.

Officers were able to reach the island by using a boat provided by Avon and Fire Rescue Service, where they carried out the arrest.

He later pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, as well as being ordered to pay £154 in compensation.

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