A thief who pilfered shoes valued at over £20,000 from a lorry parked at a Gillingham service station has been handed a jail sentence. A man aged 35, from Canvey Island, Essex, was sentenced to one year and nine months’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, May 27th.
The incident occurred in the early hours of April 11th, 2025, at the Medway Services located on the M2. A vigilant security guard on duty watched an man acting suspiciously near a curtain-sided lorry.
Shortly after, the same man was seen fleeing the targeted vehicle towards another lorry, which then left the scene. Upon inspection of the stationary lorry, damage to its side was noted, and the driver, who had been asleep, confirmed that a theft had taken place.
Kent Police were promptly notified, and patrols were dispatched towards London. Their efforts led to the tracking down and subsequent stopping of the suspect lorry on Cadogan Terrace in Stratford.
The driver of the lorry swiftly moved to the passenger seat but was apprehended by the officers. A search of the vehicle revealed 23 boxes containing the stolen footwear, with an estimated value of nearly £23,000. the man was subsequently charged with theft, driving without insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
He entered a guilty plea at Maidstone Crown Court.
Investigating officer, PC Natalie Newfield, said:
‘This was clearly an organised crime that was executed swiftly during the hours of darkness. Fortunately, a security guard alerted Kent Police, and officers were able to catch up with the offender in London, when he probably thought he was safe from being arrested.
‘This should serve as a warning to those who decide to travel into this county to commit crime. You will be pursued back across the border, tracked down and ultimately brought to justice.’