A gang accused of conspiring to steal lifesaving medical equipment from ambulances before selling it on for profit have appeared in court.

Police last month charged a number of people after more than 300 defibrillators, drugs and other goods were stolen from response vehicles and buildings across Kent.

The life-saving equipment was taken between September 2016 and August 2017 in towns including Thanet, Herne Bay, Ashford, Northfleet, Chatham and on the Isle of Sheppey.

Folkestone Magistrates' Court was told today an organised crime group operated a patient transport business and first aid company and sold second hand medical equipment.

Prosecutor Leanne James said: "A number of individuals committed burglaries from ambulance stations and medical establishments, during the course of which, medical equipment and drugs were stolen.

"They were sold through the medical equipment company making the enterprise very huge profits.

"Other individuals have been involved in the laundering of money generated through that business.

"It’s an enterprise where, we say, all of the defendants are inextricably linked to each other."

Kevin Buck, 52, of no fixed address, appeared charged with receiving stolen goods and entering into a money laundering arrangement and was granted conditional bail.

Ash McKee, 50, Mayfair Grove, Telford and Nicholas Hamill, 35, and John Moys, 46, both of no fixed address, all appeared charged with theft, conspiracy to burgle, robbery, handling stolen goods, laundering the proceeds of crime.

McKee was granted conditional bail and Hamill and Moys were remanded in custody.

Mark Goldfinch, 43, of no fixed address, appeared charged with conspiracy to steal and burgle and was granted conditional bail.

Joseph Meizen, 28, of no fixed address, appeared charged with robbery and conspiracy to steal and burgle and was remanded in custody.

Jade Ford, 29, of Gilchrist Avenue, Herne, Derek Jackson, 52, and Vanessa Jackson, 37, both of Borstal Hill, Whitstable, appeared charged with entering into a money laundering arrangement and were all granted conditional bail.

The group will all next appear at Canterbury Crown Court on November 11.

Ruby MacGregor, 29, of Drying Shed Lane, Canterbury, charged with handling stolen goods, is still to appear before magistrates while Terry O’Shea, 30, of Hollybush Way in Hertfordshire, charged with conspiracy to steal, is next due to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on October 24.

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