Three men have been sent to prison after a meticulously planned and terrifying burglary in Maidstone, where masked intruders threatened to kill a family hiding in their own home.
The harrowing incident unfolded in the early hours of September 2, 2024, when Mohamed Mahmoud, 18, from Bedford and Aramis Sullivan, 21, from Luton smashed their way into a residential property near Cumberland Avenue. The quick-thinking occupants barricaded themselves in an upstairs bedroom as the burglars ransacked the house. After an “untidy search” yielded around £400 in cash, the intruders repeatedly hammered on the bedroom door, threatening to shoot the terrified family inside.
Kent Police officers, responding to a 2:02am 999 call, arrived on the scene as Mahmoud and Sullivan were attempting to flee in a car. Following a brief pursuit, the pair were stopped and arrested just eight minutes after the initial call. A hammer and three mobile phones were recovered from their vehicle.
A subsequent police investigation uncovered a trove of incriminating messages between Mahmoud, Sullivan, and Paul Crabtree, 43, of Maidstone. Phone data, including videos and annotated screenshots, revealed Crabtree’s detailed planning of the burglary, including designated parking spots and escape routes. Crabtree was arrested days later at his home.
At Maidstone Crown Court, Paul Crabtree was convicted of conspiracy to burgle, possession with intent to supply cocaine, and possession of a bladed article. He had only pleaded guilty to burglary. On June 18, 2025, Crabtree was sentenced to six years and 11 months in prison.
Aramis Sullivan, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle, received a sentence of four years and six months. Mohamed Mahmoud, who also pleaded guilty to burglary, was sentenced to two years and two months at a young offenders’ institute.
Investigating officer, DC Joshua Littley, said:
‘Crabtree, Mohamed and Sullivan left a family fearing for their lives. In the process, they also caused significant damage to the victims’ home; all for a small quantity of cash.
‘We are pleased with the judge’s decision to impose lengthy custodial sentences which accurately reflect the fact the offenders meticulously pre-planned the burglary, and the violent nature of it.’