Prolific Medway shoplifter jailed after assault

A Rochester man has been jailed, having committed a shoplifting spree while under investigation for a serious assault.

On 16 April 2024, Tommy Wiltshire got into an argument with his victim after being questioned about a broken clothes horse. He grabbed his victim by the neck and pulled him down their stairs before punching and kicking him in the head.

Despite the housemate managing to escape the property in Rainham, Wiltshire pursued and continued the unrelenting assault. During the attack, he said to his victim ‘If I end up in custody, I will kill you.’

Thefts

While under investigation for this, the 28 year old went on a shoplifting spree across Medway, stealing over £840 of goods between November 2024 and April 2025.

Wiltshire mainly stole high value items from chain stores, with businesses in Rochester, Chatham, Strood and Gillingham impacted.

He repeatedly targeted an independent family run business in Rochester High Street, stealing £391 worth of Jellycat soft toys between 17 November 2024 and 19 December 2024.

Courts

Throughout April and May 2025, he was charged with causing actual bodily harm and making threats to kill, as well as 11 shoplifting charges, assault and an attempted theft.

Wiltshire, of Cordelia Crescent, Rochester, admitted to all offences and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to 2 years and 4 months in prison.

Inspector Tim Whale said:

‘Wiltshire has been a scourge of the Medway towns, disrupting both shoppers and shop staff for a long time. ‘He also displayed an incredible level of violence during the attack on his victim, and it is concerning to think these could be meted out on members of the public. ‘We are satisfied he is behind bars, where he can do no more harm to the Medway community or the businesses that have proudly chosen to establish themselves in the area.’