Six jailed following burglary crime series across Kent

More than £300,000 of property including multiple vehicles and golf equipment was stolen in a month-long countywide crime spree.

During the spate of offences, nine high end cars, two quad bikes and a tipper truck were taken, as well as jewellery, cash, a purse, numerous registration plates and sets of car keys.

Paul Bristow, William Adams, Rhys Smith, Jamie Knight, John Adams, and Paul Cash have since been sentenced to a combined total of 36 years and seven months’ imprisonment.

Month-long crime spree

Between 20 March and 15 April 2024, the men stole:

• A Mini Clubman and a quad bike from the garage of a property in Ashford
• Golf equipment valued at £4,796 from the garage of a home in Five Oak Green
• A Ford tipper truck from a road in Ramsgate
• A Volkswagen Passat, nearly £2,000 worth of jewellery, and £80 in cash from an address in Teston
• A Land Rover Defender from a driveway in Flimwell
• A quad bike from an outbuilding in Hawkhurst
• A Volvo estate car from an address in Rainham
• A purse from a home in Matfield
• A BMW M4 and a Land Rover Discovery Sport from a driveway in Staplehurst
• A BMW 2 series from a driveway in Matfield

The gang attempted several other burglaries in Herne Bay, Wateringbury, Brenchley, Borden and Whistable but were disturbed by the homeowners, causing them to flee.

Violent offenders

During a burglary from a home in New Romney, they assaulted the victim with a pool cue and broke his shoulder, before making off with a Mercedes C43.

They later attempted a ‘car-jacking’ in Goudhurst during which they forced a driver to stop before approaching him with weapons.

Furthermore, during a failed break-in near Lamberhurst, the victim tried to stop the offenders leaving by blocking them in with a car. They resorted to smashing the victim’s windscreen and driver’s side window, injuring him in the process.

Arrested

On 15 April, proactive patrols in Walderslade stopped two vehicles, one of which was travelling on a false registration plate, and five men were arrested.

Subsequent searches led to the seizure of a drill, a screwdriver, crowbars, balaclavas, a car registration plate and car keys.

A sixth male was arrested on 21 May.

All suspects were later charged with conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to burgle, attempted robbery, robbery, and criminal damage.

Sentenced

Following a trial, all men were convicted of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to burgle.

Bristow was also found guilty of robbery and criminal damage, while William Adams and Smith were further convicted of robbery and attempted robbery.

During a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Friday 24 October:

• Bristow, 34, of Chilmington Green in Ashford, was sentenced to nine years and two months’ imprisonment;
• William Adams, 26, of Elm Grove in Sittingbourne, was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment;
• Smith, 31, of Meehan Road in Greatstone, was sentenced to seven years and five months’ imprisonment;
• Knight, 24 of South Park Road in Maidstone, and John Adams, 32 of Common Road in Sissinghurst, were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment;
• Cash, 21, of Pye Corner in Ulcombe, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer, DC Lottie Bishop, said:

‘These prolific burglars carried out a spate of thefts and violent offences without care for anything other than selfishly lining their own pockets. ‘They paid no mind to the lasting impact on their victims, many of whom were left feeling vulnerable after their homes and safe spaces were violated by the intruders. ‘I am pleased with the hefty custodial sentences handed to the primary offenders and hope that it serves as reassurance to the public that they will be unable to cause harm.’