Maidstone: Teen Robber Behind Bars

21 May 2014, 11:09 | Updated: 21 May 2014, 11:11

A teen who robbed a hair salon armed with a knife and wearing a gas mask has been sentenced to three years and four months in a young offenders' institution.

At 10:20am on 5 February 2014 a man burst into Ferdies Hairdressers in Sandling Road, Maidstone, with his face disguised and stole £25 from the salon and jewellery from one of the customers valued at approximately £600.

Officers searched the area and in nearby Perryfield Street found discarded property, including a knife, shoes and a gas mask. Officers also found a bottle of white spirit and a box of matches, and believe that the suspect was attempting to discard the property by burning it.

Having discovered DNA within the discarded items, officers were able to identify and arrest 19 year old Aaron Hudson, of High Street in Chatham, and he was charged with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court for sentence on 15 May, Hudson was sentenced to 40 months in a young offenders' institution.

Detective Sergeant Lucky Chahal from Kent Police said: 'This must have been an incredibly frightening scenario for the victims to be faced with; a man wielding a knife and demanding money and jewellery, disguising his face with a gas mask. With the property we recovered we were able to quickly identify Hudson as the prime suspect and he was arrested five days after the offence. I'm pleased for the victims that a custodial sentence has been imposed on the offender and I think it reflects the seriousness of the offence.'