Police bail extended for West Bay's 'Captain Skint' (From Dorset Echo)

Police bail extended for West Bay's 'Captain Skint'

8:00pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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A SHIPWRECKED sailor facing allegations of fraud after living off handouts at West Bay has had his police bail extended.

Jonathan Orme Dawson, 61, was taken in by big-hearted residents following a dramatic rescue after his yacht sank off Golden Cap last June.

A month later he disappeared, allegedly owing over £1,000 to the district council for mooring fees and £400 to a crane hire company for fishing his damaged vessel out of the water.

A number of Bridport residents were also understood to have been left ‘out of pocket’ after helping the lone yachtsman launch his ‘Save Our Ship’ appeal to rebuild his shattered boat.

In January, following a lengthy hunt, police officers from Dorset’s Marine Section arrested Mr Orme-Dawson – dubbed ‘Captain Skint’ – in Taunton after he apparently returned from France to visit family members.

He was interviewed ‘regarding allegations of fraud in relation to the rescue of his shipwrecked boat’ and bailed until March 15 while further investigations took place.

This week police issued a fresh statement saying Mr Orme-Dawson’s bail had now been extended until a date next month while enquiries continued.