Thug Jailed for Robbery Spree and Car Thefts in Ashford
Grant Ray, 28, has been locked up for three years at Canterbury Crown Court. He admitted 12 offences, including robbery, fraud, and stealing cars without consent, all between May 2019 and November 2020.
Terrifying Underpass Robbery
The crime spree began in the early hours of 15 May 2019. Ray and an accomplice cornered a man walking through an underpass on Kimberley Way, Ashford. They pinned him against a wall, threatened to stab him, and robbed him of his wallet and phone. When the victim hesitated, Ray punched him and demanded the phone’s passcode.
The stolen bank card was soon used at a supermarket and a petrol station. CCTV footage caught Ray in the act, leading police straight to him.
Joyriding and Crash Chaos
- On 23 September 2020, Ray swiped a car from Athol Road after the owner left the engine running.
- The vehicle fled from a petrol station in Hythe Road without paying for fuel.
- The car was later found abandoned and badly damaged in Hever Gardens.
- A lighter with Ray’s DNA was discovered inside the wreck.
Arrest After Stealing and Burning Another Car
Ray struck again on 18 November 2020, stealing a Volvo from a Brookfield Road petrol station while the owner was paying. Police tracked him down and arrested him on Knoll Lane.
The Volvo was later found crashed and ablaze in Bucksford Lane. Ray was disqualified from driving at the time and refused breath and drug tests.
Detective Slams Repeat Offender
“Ray is a repeat offender who continued to commit crime even while under investigation for other offences,” said Detective Constable Natasha Russell. “The robbery he committed would have been terrifying for his victim. The terrible state he left the stolen cars in shows he could have caused a serious accident.”
“Our investigations have now seen him jailed. He won’t be troubling Ashford residents for a long time.”
