Two armed robbers are starting a prison sentence after they targeted a person in Maidstone for his cash.
On 26 January 2018, a man in his 20s agreed to buy a quantity of gold for £700 from Billy Beck, a person he had met online.
The man drove to meet him in a supermarket car park in Sutton Road, accompanied by a friend.
Once there, they were approached by Beck and Shaun Barton who got into the rear of the car. Beck then instructed him to drive to a nearby housing estate.
Knife
The victim parked and Beck suddenly grabbed him around the neck and tried to stab him with a knife, while demanding he hand over the cash.
The victim defended himself and Barton got out of the car and tried to stab him through the open driver’s door. He then stole £1,520 from his pocket and also threatened to stab the victim’s friend.
Beck and Barton left the scene leaving the victim with a cut to his jaw and other facial grazes.
The police were alerted and following an investigation, Beck, of Anglesey Close, Chatham and Barton, of Clare Place, Maidstone were arrested on 16 February.
Both men were subsequently selected in an identification procedure.
The pair were later charged with robbery, wounding with intent and possession of a knife in a public place.
Convicted
Both pleaded not guilty and were convicted after a three-day trial at Maidstone Crown Court.
On Friday 1 April 2022, 21-year-old Barton was jailed for six years and three months. This included a sentence for a separate charge of GBH in Chatham on 4 November 2018.
Beck, aged 24, received five years’ imprisonment.
Detective Constable Matt Thomas, of Maidstone CID, said: ‘This was a shocking attack on a young man and his friend that will have an impact on them for some considerable time.
‘Barton and Beck have shown themselves to be particularly violent individuals and Maidstone will certainly be a safer place while they are behind bars.’