A man who threatened a shopworker during a robbery at a Spar store in Gillingham has been sentenced to over four years in prison.
Benny Joe Dighton, 43, of no fixed address, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and possession of a bladed article.
Violent Robbery at Spar in Twydall Green
Kent Police were called to the Spar store on Twydall Green shortly after 9.30pm on Friday, 21 March 2025, following reports of a robbery.
According to investigators, Dighton waited for customers to leave before approaching a lone staff member, whom he threatened and forced to open the till.
He fled the scene with approximately £500 in cash, but not before a second staff member attempted to intervene.
Swift Arrest and Charges
Officers responded immediately and carried out local enquiries, leading to Dighton’s arrest the next day, Saturday 22 March.
He was charged on Sunday 23 March with robbery and carrying a knife. He later admitted both offences in court.
Sentencing and Police Response
On Wednesday 11 June, Dighton was sentenced to four years and four months in prison.
Detective Constable Faye Curtis of Kent Police said:
“Dighton knew what he wanted to do that night and waited until he thought he had an opportunity.
This brazen offender’s appalling behaviour included subjecting a victim to a frightening ordeal, and it is right that he has received a custodial sentence.
Violent crime in Kent will never be tolerated and perpetrators should expect to face the full consequences of their actions.”
Community Impact
The incident left staff and local residents shaken, with calls for increased security measures at small retail outlets across Gillingham and the wider Medway area.
