Six jailed for violent Coxheath burglary

Six men have been sentenced to nearly 70 years’ in jail following a violent burglary near Maidstone that left two victims with serious injuries.

Darren Adams, Keith Cranley, Solomon Howard, Tyresse Johnson, Ainsley Louis-Dean and D’Quan Samuel have received a combined total of 67 years and three months’ imprisonment after forcing their way into a property in Coxheath and launching a brutal attack on the occupants.

Violent break in

At around 8.10pm on 23 December 2024, five men forced entry into a home near Heath Road.

Armed with a knife and a crowbar, the group assaulted two men inside the property before stealing a watch and fleeing the scene in two cars.

Officers attended alongside paramedics, and both victims – men in their 40s – were taken to hospital suffering serious head injuries. One victim also sustained significant wounds to his arm and hand.

The weapons used in the attack were recovered at the scene, and detectives immediately launched a complex and fast moving investigation.

Compelling evidence

Between 31 December 2024 and 3 March 2025, Kent Police arrested and charged the suspects after uncovering a wealth of compelling evidence, including:

• Private CCTV footage tracking the offenders’ movements to and from the target address
• Hospital CCTV showing Louis-Dean and Howard seeking treatment for injuries sustained during the assault
• Messages between members of the group after the attack, where matters such as prison sentences and who would care for a pet dog were discussed

Sentenced

Five of the men denied their involvement but were convicted following a trial and sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday 2 April 2026:

• Keith Cranley, 41, Darren Adams, 27, and D’Quan Samuel, 25, all of Shipwrights Avenue, Chatham, were each sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment
• Ainsley Louis Dean, 24, of Wiltshire Close, Chatham, received 11 years and three months’ imprisonment
• Solomon Howard, 23, of Meresborough Road, Gillingham, was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment

Tyresse Johnson, 23, of Challenger Close, Rainham, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.

Traumatised

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Joshua Littley, said:

‘The lengthy custodial sentences handed down reflect the astonishing and sustained level of violence involved in this offence. ‘The victims not only suffered serious physical injuries but were left deeply traumatised by the attack. ‘Kent Police officers worked tirelessly to identify those responsible, meticulously gathering evidence that left the offenders with nowhere to hide. I welcome these sentences and hope they offer reassurance to the victims and the public that those responsible are now behind bars and unable to cause further harm.’