Maidstone burglar jailed after partially severing a man’s thumb

A machete-wielding burglar who caused serious injuries to a man’s hand after entering his Maidstone flat has been jailed.

Lenard Coates posed as a delivery driver to gain access to the property before attacking the victim in front of his partner and child and stealing £2,500 and a watch.

The incident happened at around 9am on 21 March 2025 when Coates entered a block of flats in Square Hill Road wearing a high-vis jacket and carrying a parcel as a prop.

Once inside he pushed his way into one of the properties and pulled out a machete, which he threatened a family with.

Unprovoked attack

Coates launched an unprovoked attack on a man and took a watch from a woman before locating and leaving with the family’s savings.

Kent Police attended the scene alongside South East Coast Ambulance Service where the victim was left with series injuries to his hand that required specialist reconstructive surgery.

An investigation commenced and officers located Coates’ van within two hours of the burglary. Subsequent forensic enquiries, alongside a review of CCTV, later saw him arrested and charged.

Sentencing

Coates initially declined to enter a plea but later pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, causing grievous bodily harm, and possession of a knife in a public place.

The 23 year old, of no fixed address, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 29 October 2025.

He will serve an extended licence period of two years upon his release and has been made the subject of a restraining order for 15 years.

Investigating officer, DC Lottie Bishop, said:

‘Coates violently assaulted his victim, leaving him with life-changing injuries, to walk away with a relatively small sum of money. ‘The lengthy custodial sentence appropriately reflects the viciousness of the attack, which he carried out in front of the victim’s partner and young child, with complete disregard for the impact of his actions. ‘We hope the family find some comfort in knowing Coates will be locked up and unable to inflict harm on others.’