A brazen criminal who escaped from an open prison shocked england/maidstone/”>Maidstone by threatening a woman with a knife, kidnapping her, and robbing her at knifepoint.
Knife-Wielding Escapee Forces Woman to Drive and Withdraw Cash
Jamie Herbert, 56, fled HMP Standford hill-wales/”>Hill on the Isle of Sheppey before accosting his victim in a prison car park. Armed with a Piecepiece of cutlery, he forced the woman to drive him to Willington Street, Maidstone, threatening to stab her if she didn’t withdraw money from the Post Office.
Thankfully, the woman managed to escape by locking herself inside her car. Herbert tried to break in but failed and fled towards Sutton Road, where he threatened a man in a Morrison’s car park and made off with a small sum of cash.
Swift Arrest Ends Reign of Terror
Police caught Herbert shortly after in Lansdowne Avenue and seized the knife. The Dover man was charged with escaping lawful custody, kidnap, possession of a bladed weapon in public, and attempted robbery.
Herbert Handed Over 10 Years Behind Bars
At Maidstone Crown Court on 17 September 2025, Herbert pleaded guilty to all charges. He was slammed with a sentence of 10 years and nine months. He must serve at least two-thirds before parole, followed by a five-year extended licence period upon release.
“Jamie Herbert is a brazen and violent criminal who tried to escape prison without a second thought for the people he put in harm’s way during his attempt,” said Detective Constable Scott Bittlestone. “He has since been returned to a more secure facility, having lost his right to a higher degree of freedom in an open prison. Herbert must now serve the remainder of his initial sentence as well as an additional term for these offences. Crime does not pay.”
Jamie Herbert’s chilling rampage is a stark reminder: trying to outrun justice only digs a deeper hole.
