Burglary duo jailed following Ramsgate theft

Burglars who travelled from Brighton to Ramsgate to steal from a family home have been jailed.

On Wednesday 23 April 2025 Harry Grassi and Gary McCarten travelled to the Queens Gate Road area. When they arrived, they covered their faces with balaclavas before kicking the front door in and entering the residence.

The terrified victims fled to a room upstairs whilst the men searched the ground floor before McCarten forced his way into the room where they were hiding.

After several minutes the men left with a safe, two sets of car keys, a purse and passports.

Officers arrived at the property, but the men had already left.

ANPR research showed the suspect’s vehicle travelling back to Brighton and the abandoned car was located on a residential street. Forensic examinations found DNA from both Grassi and McCarten in the car.

On 22 May 2025 McCarten was arrested followed by Grassi on 10 June 2025.

Gary McCarten, 36, of no fixed address, was charged with burglary and theft with violence and was sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment.

Harry Grassi, 26, of no fixed address, was charged with burglary and theft with no violence and was sentenced to one year and 10 months' imprisonment.

Both had pleaded guilty to the offences and were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday 11 September.

Investigating officer, DC Martin Aird said:

‘McCarten and Grassi caused immeasurable heartache for the family involved in this crime and left them feeling unsafe in their own home. ‘We were able to track the offenders out of county and used sophisticated forensic and tracking techniques to bring them to justice.’