Serial thief is sent to prison
A balaclava-wearing burglar who struck a man with an iron bar when he was disturbed has been jailed.
Wi l l iam Rye was sentenced to two years and eight months at Maidstone Crown Court for a string of offences between Oc t o b e r and November 2017.
In one incident in Couchman Green Lane, Staplehurst, Rye was disturbed by a victim and chased. He struck the man on his shoulder with an iron bar.
Further offences included a burglary, also in Staplehurst, where he raided storage containers off Wilden Park Road. The 42-year-old stole a number of Airsoft rifles as well as smoke grenades and body armour.
Rye was arrested on November 8. A search of an address he was linked to in Sutton Close, Marden, led to the seizure of some of the stolen paint ball cartridges and smoke grenades. A balaclava was also found which matched some of the victims’ descriptions.
DNA was recovered from zips and straps of a rucksack found at the crime scene in Couchman Green Lane.
Forensic evidence also placed Rye at a burglary in Dean Street, East Farleigh, were he had stolen cash and tools.
Formerly of Vicarage Lane, East Farleigh, Rye pleaded guilty to three charges of burglary and a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. A further three offences were held on file.