Six men jailed after month long crime spree across Kent
More than £300,000 worth of property was taken
More than £300,000 of property including multiple vehicles and golf equipment was stolen in a month-long crime spree in Kent.
During the spate of offences, nine high end cars, two quad bikes and a tipper truck were taken, as well as jewellery, cash, a purse, numerous registration plates and sets of car keys.
Paul Bristow, William Adams, Rhys Smith, Jamie Knight, John Adams, and Paul Cash have since been sentenced to a combined total of 36 years and seven months’ imprisonment.
Month-long crime spree
Between 20 March and 15 April 2024, the men stole:
A Mini Clubman and a quad bike from the garage of a property in Ashford
Golf equipment valued at £4,796 from the garage of a home in Five Oak Green
A Ford tipper truck from a road in Ramsgate
A Volkswagen Passat, nearly £2,000 worth of jewellery, and £80 in cash from an address in Teston
A Land Rover Defender from a driveway in Flimwell
A quad bike from an outbuilding in Hawkhurst
A Volvo estate car from an address in Rainham
A purse from a home in Matfield
A BMW M4 and a Land Rover Discovery Sport from a driveway in Staplehurst
A BMW 2 series from a driveway in Matfield
The gang attempted several other burglaries in Herne Bay, Wateringbury, Brenchley, Borden and Whistable but were disturbed by the homeowners, causing them to flee.
Violent offenders
During a burglary from a home in New Romney, they assaulted the victim with a pool cue and broke his shoulder, before making off with a Mercedes C43.
They later attempted a ‘car-jacking’ in Goudhurst during which they forced a driver to stop before approaching him with weapons.
During a failed break-in near Lamberhurst, the victim tried to stop the offenders leaving by blocking them in with a car. They resorted to smashing the victim’s windscreen and driver’s side window, injuring him in the process.#
Investigating officer, DC Lottie Bishop, said:
"These prolific burglars carried out a spate of thefts and violent offences without care for anything other than selfishly lining their own pockets.
"They paid no mind to the lasting impact on their victims, many of whom were left feeling vulnerable after their homes and safe spaces were violated by the intruders.
"I am pleased with the hefty custodial sentences handed to the primary offenders and hope that it serves as reassurance to the public that they will be unable to cause harm."