Prisoner jailed for kidnap and attempted robbery in Maidstone

A man who absconded from an open prison has been sent back to jail for threatening a woman with a knife before kidnapping and attempting to rob her.

Jamie Herbert absconded from HMP Standford Hill on the Isle of Sheppey and forced a woman to drive him to Maidstone to withdraw money at knifepoint.

Emergency call handlers received a report of a man threatening someone with a bladed weapon at around 9.25am on Tuesday 28 January 2024.

Herbert had accosted the victim in the prison car park and threatened her with a piece of cutlery.

He made her drive to Willington Street and threatened to stab her if she did not withdraw money from the Post Office.

The woman managed to slip away from Herbert and locked herself in her vehicle for safety. The offender attempted to get back into the car and failed.

He fled in the direction of Sutton Road, where he threatened a man in the Morrison’s car park before leaving.

Herbert was arrested a short time later in nearby Lansdowne Avenue, and officers seized the knife from his possession.

The 56 year old was subsequently charged with escaping lawful custody, kidnap, possession of a bladed weapon in public, and attempted robbery.

Sentenced

Herbert, formally of Dover, pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to 10 years and nine months’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on 17 September 2025.

He must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before he will be considered for parole, and will be subject to a five year extended licence upon his release.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Scott Bittlestone, said:

‘Jamie Herbert is a brazen and violent criminal who tried to escape prison without a second thought for the people he put in harm’s way during his attempt. ‘He has since been returned to a more secure facility, having lost his right to a higher degree of freedom in an open prison. ‘Herbert must now serve the remainder of his initial sentence as well as an additional term for these offences. ‘Crime does not pay.’