Brazen burglar targeted Medway and west Kent shops over two days

A burglar who targeted three shops in Medway and west Kent and stole more than £4,000 in cash has been jailed.

Aaron Stillwell and his accomplice, Stephen Liddell, broke into the businesses in March 2026.

Shortly after midnight on 26 March, Stillwell used a crowbar on the shutters protecting a store on Canterbury Street, Gillingham. He entered the premises and removed the till before returning to steal cigarettes.

A short time later, the men used the same method to steal tobacco and a till containing £4,750 from a business in Magpie Hall Road, Chatham. An investigation into both incidents led detectives to identify a suspicious grey Nissan Qashqai on CCTV footage.  

On the following night, the pair travelled to Goudhurst High Street where they stole a large quantity of cigarettes after smashing a shop window. The owner alerted the police and officers immediately scoured the area looking for the Qashqai.

A short time later, it was located on the A21 travelling at top speeds of 130mph. The driver, Stillwell, failed to stop and the vehicle crashed into a roundabout following a pursuit. Stillwell and Liddell made off on foot and were swiftly detained.  

Both Stillwell, 41,of Brownhill Road, Catford, London and Liddell, 44, of Ravens Way, Eltham, London were charged with three burglaries. Stillwell was further charged with driving dangerously, driving whilst disqualified, no insurance and failing to stop for police.

Court

Both men pleaded guilty to all counts and, at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 12 August, Stillwell was sentenced to 3 years in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for 2 years and 7 months. Liddell was given a suspended sentence of 12 months.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Daniel Bister said:

‘These criminals caused substantial financial costs for three Kent business of around £11,500. The owners would have incurred further losses due to the disruption whilst repairs were completed at the premises. ‘Thanks to some prompt work reviewing the CCTV footage in Medway, followed by a swift response from patrols to the incident in west Kent, these brazen offenders were tracked down and brought to justice.’