Chatham robber jailed after threatening man with knife in High Street
Published: 17:10, 18 October 2022
Updated: 17:15, 18 October 2022
A robber who threatened a man with a knife has been put behind bars.
Ghandi Mallak was part of a group of men who approached a man standing next to a cash machine in Chatham High Street.
On February 26, the victim, who was in his 20s, was threatened with a knife and pushed against the ATM while the group searched his pockets.
They then stole his phone and bank cards before walking away from the scene.
During the incident, someone tried to intervene but was assaulted by Mallak. He suffered grazing and bruises to his face.
Officers immediately went to the area after the victim reported what happened and Mallak was one of two men identified by CCTV operators.
The 22-year-old was found with 17 wraps of class A drugs in his sock, was arrested and taken into custody.
Mallak, of no fixed address, was later charged with robbery, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of heroin with intent to supply and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday and was jailed for six years and six months.
This included a sentence for being concerned in the supply of heroin and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine in Sussex, during September last year.
PC Vicki Hartland said: "This criminal was part of a gang that brazenly robbed a young man in a busy shopping area.
"Mallak arrogantly walked from the scene but was swiftly detained by patrols who were guided to his location by alert CCTV operators."
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