Phone’s tracking device leads police to robbers

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Bungling robbers from Ashford thought they had got away with the perfect hold-up after terrifying staff at a food business.

As one of the gang stayed outside as look-out, two others –wearing masks – burst in brandishing claw hammers demanding money.

Sammy Kingwell, Anthony Allen, and Ricky White, then left Hartley Farmhouse in Cranbrook where a Mercedes A class getaway car was waiting.

But now a judge has heard that among the items they escaped with during the frightening attack was an iPhone and police officers used its tracking device to lead colleagues straight back to the gang.

Now the three have all received long jail sentences after admitting robbery and fraud.

Kingwell, 31, of Adams Drive, Willesborough was given sentences totalling 10-and-a-half years; Allen, 37, of Badlesmere Close, Ashford, seven years; and Ricky White, 29, of Downsway, Charing six years.

Police seized CCTV footage after the raid which showed three figures at Hartley Farmhouse immediately before and after the robbery.

Prosecutor Peter Forbes told how the gang then drove to Sir Henry Brackenbury Road on Ashford’s Repton Park estate before going on to Kingwell’s house, not realising a police helicopter was following them.

Mr Forbes said: “Kingwell and Allen went first into the house, followed quickly by Ricky White and then the police car arrived.

“Realising that the police were on to t hem, t hey attempted to dispose of the money and two of the men tried to hide in the garden shed, including White who was topless as he attempted to disassociate himself from any distinctive clothing, “he added

Mr Forbes told Canterbury Crown Court how on April 14 this year, James Lyons and his daughter Kelly Krzykowska were at Cranbrook Fishmongers located on a small industrial estate on the outskirts of the village.

“The two of them were on the site, preparing fish ready for delivery to restaurants in London. The lights were on in the glass fronted shop. It was pitch black outside.

“Suddenly, at shortly before 3am, a lump of concrete smashed through the front door and a man wearing a balaclava and wielding a claw hammer came in, bundling James Lyons to the ground.

“Mr Lyons was told to stay down as one of the robbers demanded: ‘ Where’s the money? Give me the money’.

“Mr Lyons was petrified and concerned for the safety of himself and his daughter and told her to comply and she handed over an envelope from a carrier bag which contained about £1000 in cash, “he added.

The court heard how the robber looked at the money and snarled: “Where’s the rest of it? You are having a f****** laugh aren’t you? Where’s the safe? There must be more than this.”

Mr Forbes added that Mr Lyons said there was no safe before smashing Mr Lyons’ phone telling him not to call the police.

However, the prosecutor said the robbers made the mistake of taking Ms Krzkowska’s iphone, which had a tracking device.

Her bank card was also taken and used to withdraw £250 in cash and the three had earlier burgled a house in Benenden taking a handbag, cards, camera, radio and cash.

White was jailed for a year for the burglary and the judge then passed a consecutive nine-and-a-half-year extended sentence for the robbery and fraud, which he had admitted.

Allen, who admitted burglary, robbery and fraud, was jailed for a total of seven years and Kingwell was given a sixyear sentence after admitting similar offences, possessing cannabis and also two other burglaries in Ashford.

Pictures: Kent Police Ricky White was jailed for six years for burglary, robbery and fraud, Sammy Kingwell was jailed for 10-and-a-half years for robbery, burglary and fraud and Anthony Allen was jailed for seven years for robbery, burglary and fraud

The thieves were captured on CCTV attempting to withdraw £250 with a stolen bank card and tracked by a police helicopter, below