Dover thief jailed for 38 months

A Dover thief who was caught red-handed with transaction receipts for a bank card he stole has been jailed for 38 months.

On the morning of 5 June 2017, Brendan Kent forced his way into the home of people known to him in Mayfield Avenue and demanded money from them. Kent asked to use their toilet and took the victim's handbag into the bathroom with him.

When he emerged later, cash was found to be missing from the victim's purse and her phone was also stolen by 35-year-old Kent before he left the property.

Later the same day, Kent, of Fulbert Road, Dover, visited a second address in Shooters Hill, and demanded money from a man in his 70s.

Kent picked up a knife from the victim's kitchen and threatened to stab him but when the victim refused to be intimidated, he ran from the property.

The man realised Kent had stolen a wallet containing cash, and bank card. The card was used in three locations in Dover, and when Kent was arrested he had the receipts for the transactions.

At Canterbury Crown Court on Monday (24 July 2017), Kent admitted two counts of theft, and three counts of fraud and was sentenced to a total of 38 months in prison.

Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Matthew Smith said: "Although the items stolen may not seem very valuable, Kent’s offending is serious because his behaviour was aggressive and volatile.

"He thought he could target vulnerable individuals who knew him, and would get away with it. Unfortunately for him, he was wrong and also by keeping the receipts, it meant he was caught red-handed and had to face up to his deeds."