Two men who were quickly tracked down and arrested by police after carrying out a burglary on Friday 21 July 2023 at around 11.30pm, in Lauren Van Der Post Way, Ashford have been jailed.
Jack Grindley, 21, and Leon Melson, 20, broke into the property with a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age, while Ella Steadman, 22, waited outside the address.
Threats and damage
Furniture and other items were damaged and threats were made to the victim who fled the scene and was known to Grindley, Melson and Steadman who were from Ashford. The victim returned later to find jewellery, cash and designer clothing missing.
Car tracked
Kent Police received reports of the disturbance and tracked the car in which the offenders were travelling to Sittingbourne, where the vehicle was stopped by patrols.
Body worn video footage of the offenders being stopped by patrols
The four occupants were arrested by officers at the scene and later charged.
Sentencing
Grindley, pleaded guilty to burglary and affray and was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday 20 March 2024 to a year and ten months’ imprisonment. The same sentence was imposed on Melson, who also pleaded guilty to burglary and affray.
Steadman, pleaded guilty to affray and was given a 16 month suspended sentenced. The teenager, who pleaded guilty to affray and handling stolen goods, received a community order.
PC Damien Dixon, of East Kent CID, said: ‘The offenders subjected their victim to a frightening ordeal before stealing from him in his home. A swift response from officers meant that they were stopped in their tracks.
‘I would like to extend our gratitude to the witnesses in the vicinity who reported the crime in progress, and in so doing, supported the quick detention of the offenders, preventing them from causing further harm.’