Man jailed for ten years for robbery where he used a machete to threaten family

A man has been jailed for ten years for a terrifying robbery where he threatened a woman and her grandson with a machete.

Ryan Kent was sentenced to 10 years eight months at Stafford Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery, and 12 months to be served concurrently for possession of a bladed article.

Kent, aged 26, of no fixed address but formerly of Walsall, targeted a house in Featherstone just after one o’ clock in the morning of 4 October 2020.

He entered the property in South Crescent and threatened the occupants – a woman in her seventies and her teenage grandson – with a machete.

The court heard that the woman and her grandson were watching television when Kent burst in waving the machete and demanding ‘Give me the money’. Jewellery and other items were stuffed into a pillow case, before the offenders ran off.

They made off in a Honda Jazz which was seen by police officers, being driven away at speed. The car crashed and the offenders ran away, but Kent was tracked by a police dog and found hiding under a car on a private driveway in Cannock Road.

Officers searched beneath the car and found £390 in cash and jewellery, including nine rings, from the burglary. Kent was arrested and found to be in possession of cocaine and cannabis.

Detective Sergeant Steve Windridge, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This was a violent robbery and a terrifying experience for the victims and their family.  I am grateful for and praise the great courage and bravery that was shown by them during this case.

“I am glad that Kent has received a significant sentence for his actions that morning and I am relieved that no one came to serious harm.”

Kent was sentenced on 14 May.