Yahoo News 'Cowardly' thief robbed 3 young girls at knifepoint in Dagenham woodland as police caught him in filthy tracksuit
A violent thug in a filthy tracksuit who robbed three girls at knifepoint has been jailed. Luke Slater asked his victims for the time in a Kent woodland, but when one of the girls got her phone out to check, he threatened them with a knife. He then took phones from two of them and chased the third girl before stealing her phone, some cash and a ring on October 15 2022.
The incident - described by police as 'truly despicable and cowardly' - was reported a month later and Slater was arrested at an address in Dagenham. There officers seized the soiled clothing he had been wearing when he fled the robbery on a bicycle. The 32-year-old, formerly of East London, was selected in an identification procedure and was charged with three robberies.
He was also charged with six counts of theft in shops around Rochester. Slater pleaded guilty to the thefts at Maidstone Crown Court but denied robbing the three girls. After a trial he was convicted on all three counts on May 18 2023. At his sentence on Monday (April 22), the judge found him to be dangerous, with a propensity for violence and substance misuse.
Slater was given an extended sentence of 12 years and six months. Eight and a half years of this will be in prison and Slater will have to serve at least two thirds before being eligible for parole. On his release, a further four years will be completed on licence.
Detective Constable Matthew Wadhams, of the Kent Crime Squad, said: "Slater is a violent criminal who thought nothing of making violent threats to steal other people’s property. The robbery he committed on three young girls was truly despicable and cowardly. He should be thoroughly ashamed of his actions.
"In complete contrast, his young victims showed considerable courage in assisting our investigation and providing evidence for the subsequent trial. Their role was key to ensuring this prolific offender is no longer a danger to the residents of Medway."
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