by Keith Hunt

Two "wicked" thugs who viciously robbed a vulnerable man have been jailed for a total of 20 years under an extended sentence for public protection.

Paul Smith (left) was sentenced to 12 years and Ashley Simmonds to eight years and both will be on licence for a further five years.

Smith, of no fixed address, and Simmonds, of Gill Avenue, Wainscott, admitted robbery. Smith also admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Smith forced his ex-girlfriend Michelle Coleman to take him and Simmonds, both 26, to the Gillingham home of Graham Dodd on Boxing day last year.

Simon Sandford, prosecuting, said Smith was drinking vodka and talking about getting money "from an old bloke".

They arrived at the house in Randolph Road and left Miss Coleman in the car for several minutes. When they returned, Simmonds had blood on him.

After Mr Dodd, 64, was found asleep with cuts and bruises, he told police he had been hit repeatedly struck on the head and face with a wooden stool. He handed over about £8.

Mr Dodd has since died, but it was not connected with the attack.

During the evening Smith ordered Miss Coleman to get out of the car and when she refused he pulled her out and smashed her head against a wall, knocking her unconscious.

Mr Sandford said Smith had earlier in the year attacked his mother’s partner of 17 years, David Hooper.

He went to Mr Hooper’s home in June and demanded to know where he was the night before when his mother was in hospital.

He then hit him in the face and he fell, breaking his left arm. He also suffered a broken nose.

Both Smith and Simmonds (pictured right) had substantial criminal records and serious alcohol and drugs problems.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said of the robbery: "You both knew of him and his circumstances and it is plain that you both targeted him as an easy source of cash you wanted to purchase alcohol and drugs."

The judge spoke of "the wickedness" of what they did "for the princely sum of £8".

Miss Coleman, he said, was in fear of Smith and controlled by him.