More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
People are being urged to listen to a voice recording of a burglary suspect who tied up and brutally assaulted a lone pensioner in her own home.
It comes after a man entered a home in Parkfield near Wildernesse Golf Club in Sevenoaks and beat a woman with a handgun and tied her up just before 4pm on Friday, June 21.
He then stole 50 valuable pieces of jewellery and watches, worth an estimated £1.4 million.
Today, the crime featured on the BBC’s Crimewatch Live programme as new footage has been released, along with a voice recording of the suspect.
Detective Inspector Maxine Harris appeared on the show to talk about the investigation and to urge viewers to listen to an audio clip which includes demands made by the offender to his victim.
The force explained how the suspect had initially approached the victim in her garden, before striking her head with the gun.
The woman was then restrained whilst searches for valuables were carried out inside the property. At least 50 items were stolen, including rings, pendants and watches.
At the time of the incident, the man was wearing a face mask, cream coloured baseball cap and had trainers with distinctive red soles. He sometimes wore a high-visibility top when cycling.
The police said an extensive investigation remains ongoing - with the suspect now being formally linked to at least five other burglaries in Kent since 2016. These include victims in Tonbridge, Maidstone, Marden and Ide Hill near Westerham.
Crimestoppers is offering a £10,000 reward for information in relation to the incident.
CCTV images show a potential suspect travelling by train between Staplehurst and Sevenoaks on the morning of the attack.
After the burglary, the man was seen on trains between Hildenborough, Tonbridge and Marden, before cycling in Staplehurst shortly after 6pm.
Crimestoppers is offering a reward for information the charity exclusively receives - via its website Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111 – that leads to the conviction of those responsible.
The reward is available for three months and is due to expire on 18 June, 2025.
The charity says the man in the image should not be approached, and while he could have connections with the Staplehurst area, he may live outside of Kent.
Phil Breckon, Crimestoppers regional manager for Kent, said: “This was a shocking and violent burglary and those involved could strike again.
“There will be people who know what happened and who did it but they might be unwilling to tell the police.
“We are an independent charity separate to the police and we guarantee you will stay 100% anonymous.
“You won’t be asked to go to the police, go to court or make a witness statement. Just contact us and tell us what you know. By talking to us, anonymously, you can help prevent whoever did this from attacking again and can help keep the community safe.”
Only information passed to Crimestoppers will qualify for a reward, and the reward will only be available from March 18, 2025 until June 18, 2025. Information passed directly to the police will not qualify for a reward.
More details about the rewards process can be found on the Crimestoppers website.
Detective Inspector Maxine Harris said: ‘We are continuing to make significant and extensive enquiries to track down the man responsible for this cowardly assault and burglary.
“It is possible he has strong connections to the Staplehurst area, although we are not discounting that he may live outside of Kent. He should not be approached.'
“Our officers have been making further house-to-house enquiries throughout the Staplehurst area and we are now also urging residents to listen to the audio recording of the suspect’s voice, which includes demands made to his terrified victim.
“If you think this voice sounds even vaguely familiar to someone you may know it is vital that you contact us.’
You can also call Kent Police on 01622 652006 quoting reference 46/102682/24.
If you prefer to be anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, or by using the online form.
