A getaway driver who took part in a £40,000 robbery of a businesswoman to pay off drug debts has been jailed for seven years.

There were gasps from the public gallery at Maidstone Crown Court when Callum Miller, 24, was handed the jail term on top of 16 months imposed for unrelated offences of burglary and theft - making a total of eight years and four months.

Miller, of Reculver Walk, Maidstone, admitted robbery on November 30, 2013.

The court heard he agreed to act as the driver after being beaten up in relation to £7,000 he owed to drug dealers.

The victim was targeted by four or five raiders, one said to be armed with a metal object, when she returned to her home late at night.

Her 15-year-old daughter was also in the house.

During the robbery she was “manhandled” before the robbers found a safe containing £40,000 in a wardrobe. They also took her passport and jewellery, including a gold Rolex watch.

The court was told that as they fled, one “slashed” at her, ripping her coat.

Miller, who the prosecution accepted took no part in the planning of the robbery or knew weapons would be carried or used, was on bail for that offence when he burgled a house in Langton Green, Maidstone, on August 21 last year.

"This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim, as well as for her 15-year-old daughter who was also at home when Miller forced his way in..." - Det Con Christopher Waterfall

On that occasion he stole a BMW worth £30,000, as well as an iPad, jewellery, two watches and money from a child’s piggy bank. Miller admitted burglary and theft.

The car was later sold to mechanic Andrew Fryer, 24, of Vauxhall Gardens, Tonbridge, for just £1,000.

The former pupil at Skinners’ School in Tunbridge Wells, admitted handling stolen goods and was given 12 months’ jail suspended for two years.

Also in the dock with Miller and Fryer were Billy Williams, 26, of Bicknor Road, Maidstone, Simon Ashford, 53, of Pinnock Lane, Staplehurst, and Billy Matthews, 24, of Wrangleden Road, Maidstone.

All three admitted conspiracy to receive stolen goods, namely the BMW. Williams, who has previous convictions for dishonesty, was jailed for 16 months, while Ashford and Matthews were each given 12 months’ jail suspended for two years and 150 hours’ unpaid work.

Passing sentence on all five, Judge Martin Joy said: “All domestic burglary is very serious because it causes huge feelings of insecurity in householders and, indeed, in those who read about such matters.”

He added that the robbery offence was “very grave”.

After the hearing, Detective Constable Christopher Waterfall said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim in this case, as well as for her 15-year-old daughter who was also at home when Miller forced his way in.

"This dreadful crime was clearly planned in advance, as Miller knew where the woman lived and worked as well as what time she was likely to be heading home.

"The lengthy sentence he has received reflects the severity of his actions on that day."

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