Man Sentenced After Police Dog Leads Officers To Hiding Suspect In East Cowes

A 41‑year‑old man has been sentenced following his arrest by a police dog unit that tracked him through a cemetery, finding him hiding in undergrowth in East Cowes.

The case followed an assault which took place on Friday, July 11 2025, in which a woman suffered minor injuries at an address on Vectis Road, East Cowes.

The victim also received multiple unwanted calls and messages on June 4 and August 5, amounting to harassment.

On August 5, the suspect, Carl Isham, fled from officers and across the cemetery East Cowes which is when Police Dog Echo and his handler Sergeant Charlie Winchester were deployed.

When they arrived, Echo leapt from the vehicle and immediately picked up a scent.

He tracked it through the graveyard, over a wall, and into a wooded area, where he found Isham hiding.

Carl Isham, of St Edmunds Walk, Wootton Bridge, Ryde, appeared before Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, April 16 where he pleaded guilty to assault by beating and harassment without violence.

He appeared before the same court on Tuesday, June 30 where he was handed a 13-week custodial sentence, suspended for 16 months.

Isham was also made subject to a restraining order and was ordered to complete rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £554 in costs and surcharge.

Inspector Andrew Mooge from Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Joint Operations Unit, said:

“Police dogs like Echo are an essential part of frontline policing.

"They can be called to everything from helping search for missing people to tracking offenders or property, and time and time again they help keep our communities safe.

"In this case, Echo’s skills meant this man was found quickly so he could face the consequences of his actions.”