A man from Ireland has been sentenced in court after admitting stealing a sailing boat from Saundersfoot harbour.

Shortly before 10.30 am on Sunday, police were made aware of the theft of a sailing boat from its mooring in Saundersfoot harbour.

Officers immediately commenced enquiries, and in consultation with the Coastguard, the assistance of the RNLI was enlisted.

Tenby RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Haydn Miller launched to assist in the recovery of the 17-foot sailing vessel heading towards Worms Head.

The Tamar class lifeboat was soon heading down the slipway with two police officers aboard and made best speed towards the last known position.

The volunteer crew quickly located the vessel about four-and-a-half miles south east of Saundersfoot Harbour.

The lifeboat crew attached a tow line to the vessel and it was towed back to the harbour and reunited with its owner.

“Thanks to their involvement, at approximately 11.07 am the sailing vessel was sighted, and a 30-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft,” said a police spokesperson.

An eye witness said that local fishermen reported that they had seen the man on the slipway the night before.

The defendant Fanche Mahe, from Galway, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday to plead guilty to a charge of taking a conveyance (not motor vehicle/pedal cycle) without consent.

The result of the case was Mr. Mahe was ordered to pay compensation, fines and costs, totalling £458. As the defendant will not remain long enough in the UK to enforce the fines/costs the court sentenced him to 14 days custody in default.