A burglar who featured on Kent Police’s Most Wanted list after a spree of break-ins in Canterbury has been jailed for three years. Gary King, 43, of no fixed address, was held at a Welsh port while attempting to flee the country.
King’s crime wave began on the evening of Tuesday, March 18, 2025. CCTV footage showed him trying car door handles and attempting to enter a property on Beaconsfield Road. Undeterred, he moved on to Shaftesbury Avenue, where he entered a home and stole an Apple Watch after being disturbed by the resident. Later the same night, King was discovered inside a bedroom of another property on Beaconsfield Road. He fled empty-handed after being confronted by the homeowner.
Following a review of CCTV footage, King was identified as the prime suspect, leading Kent Police to issue a public appeal and add him to their Most Wanted section.
But his attempt to evade justice was thwarted on April 15, 2025, when security staff at Holyhead Port in Wales detained him as he tried to board a ferry destined for Ireland. King was subsequently returned to Kent and charged with two counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary. He pleaded guilty to all charges at Canterbury Crown Court on May 19, 2025, where he was sentenced to three years imprisonment.
Detective Constable Rosalynd Friend said:
‘King committed multiple offences in a short period, showing no regard for the distress caused to his victims. I’m pleased he has now been taken off the streets. His case serves as a warning to others – if you attempt to flee justice, you will be caught.’