Masked Men Armed with Machete and Axe Terrorise Caravan Site
Three men have been jailed for a brutal armed burglary at a caravan site near Maidstone. Eli Smith, James Lee, and Prince Adeshokan went on a terrifying rampage in Detling, wielding weapons including a machete and an axe.
The terrifying attack happened in the early hours of 22 July 2020 when the gang forced their way into three caravans off Scragged Oak Road. Victims were threatened and three suffered injuries – one man was stabbed in the arm.
Axe-Wielding Thugs Target Families
One chilling moment saw a woman carrying a young child forced out of her caravan by an axe-wielding attacker. Another victim barricaded herself in a bedroom with her children, desperate to stay safe as the violent gang ransacked properties.
The crooks fled the scene in a white Transit van, which was later found torched on Rumstead Lane, Thurnham, in a bid to destroy evidence.
High-Tech Police Hunt Leads to Arrests
Detectives traced an Audi travelling with the stolen van, linking the vehicle to Smith and Lee. Just days later, officers spotted a black Mercedes connected to the same suspects involved in a separate armed robbery in Surrey.
Smith and Lee were arrested on 26 July, and further investigations led police to Adeshokan’s home in Thornton Heath. There, they seized a machete and a knife. All three men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary at Maidstone Crown Court.
Heavy Sentences for Violent Burglars and Family Cover-Up
- Eli Smith, 25, from Sittingbourne, was jailed for 8 years.
- James Lee, 22, also from Sittingbourne, sentenced to 7-and-a-half years.
- Prince Adeshokan, 21, received 10 years, including 2 for breaching a suspended sentence.
A relative, Levy Deeprose, 31, was also locked up for 18 months for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Deeprose falsely claimed involvement in the crime, trying to clear Smith and Lee.
“The victims were woken in the dead of night and forced through a terrifying ordeal. These were dangerous criminals who showed no regard for the young children present,” said Detective Constable Rachel Laidlaw. “Thanks to phone data and ANPR evidence, their leading roles were undeniable. Justice has rightly been served.”
