Herne Bay burglar sentenced to two and a half years in prison

A Herne Bay burglar has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

Kent Police received an emergency call at around 11.30am on Monday 12 January 2026 from a woman who said that an unknown man had smashed a window and was trying to get into her home in Herne Bay.

Officers arrived at the scene within just four minutes of the call coming in to find the intruder, Clifford Airey, had already left the scene.

Members of the public approached the patrols and pointed in the direction Airey had taken. After a short foot chase, he was arrested and two screwdrivers he had discarded in a nearby bush were recovered.

Airey was searched and the victim’s passport and bus card were seized along with £385 in cash and her car keys. He was later charged with four offences including burglary and going equipped for theft.

Clifford Airey, 61, of Craddock Road, Canterbury, admitted the offences at his first hearing at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on the following day.

At Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday 17 February, he was sentenced to 876 days' imprisonment, or just under two and a half years.

Detective Constable Lois Goodman said:

‘This was a frightening incident for the victim and her young family, and I am pleased to see the court recognise the seriousness of such a deeply intrusive crime. ‘I want to commend the swift actions of the attending officers and the members of the public who stepped in to help. Their actions ensured the suspect was located, arrested, and brought before the courts as soon as possible.’