Frightening robbery in Sheerness lands robber and female getaway driver in jail

A robber and a female getaway driver have been jailed following a robbery in Sheerness.

Alfie Stiffle-Pace, 19, of Valley Road, Kenley, Surrey, forced his way into the house in High Street, Sheerness, along with three other people, before leaving the victim injured with weapons including a meat cleaver, kitchen knife and a handmade bladed knife.

He was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court for five years and three months on Friday 12 August 2022 after he admitted charges of robbery, grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a knife in a public place.

Abigale Duke, 21, of Vincent Gardens, Sheerness, was jailed at the same time for two years and six months after admitting a charge of robbery.

The court heard how Stiffle-Pace went to the property on 24 March 2022 where at 9pm he and the three others knocked on the door. The victim opened the door before the group demanded he hand over drugs, despite being told they had the wrong address.

Stabbed

The group then pushed the victim back before he was punched and assaulted with various weapons. He was also stabbed in his arm and received cuts to his fingers and hand.

They then ransacked the downstairs of the property before leaving the address, having stolen a mobile phone and an e-scooter.

Duke, who was waiting in a black Ford Fiesta, then drove the group away.

Following the robbery officers carried out numerous enquiries, including testing for DNA left on a hat at the scene by one of the suspects. This later revealed it belonged to Stiffle-Pace.

CCTV footage showed the group leaving the house following the incident and also showed Duke sitting in a car nearby.

Further evidence from mobile phones belonging to Duke and Stiffle-Pace, and the stolen mobile phone, showed the devices all travelling away from the scene and towards Sittingbourne at the same time.

Following Stiffle-Pace’s arrest on 5 April, officers searched his home address where the stolen mobile phone was found.

Duke was arrested on the same date and both were later charged in connection with the incident. No other suspects were identified.

Detective Inspector Danielle Driscoll, of the Kent Police Chief Constable’s Crime Squad said: ‘This was a frightening incident for the victim who was targeted by a group armed with weapons.

‘Stiffle-Pace used excessive violence to intimidate the victim while inflicting serious injuries upon him. Duke may not have been involved in the robbery, but she acted as the getaway driver and played an active part in the incident.

‘I’m pleased we were able to secure charges and that they have both been sentenced accordingly.’