Car Thieves Caught After Daring Spree in Gillingham
Liam French and Max Cuthbert went on a crime spree across Gillingham, breaking into homes and stealing cars — until police finally caught them after a high-speed chase. The pair’s reckless joyride ended in jail.
Three Burglaries in Two Days
- On July 29, 2021, French and Cuthbert broke into a home on Collet Walk. They swiped car keys from a handbag and fled in the victim’s car.
- The next day, they struck again at a property on Hawbeck Road. The frightened occupant spotted torchlight on the landing and shouted, scaring the crooks away.
- Less than an hour later, the duo raided a third home on Howbury Walk. They grabbed a handbag packed with cash, bank cards, perfumes, and car keys, using the keys to steal yet another car.
High-Speed Police Pursuit Ends Spree
At 3.59 a.m., cops spotted two stolen cars racing down Long Catlis Road in Rainham. Ignoring orders to stop, French and Cuthbert sped off, hitting 70mph in 30mph zones on the way to the Isle of Sheppey.
Police deployed a stinger to stop one vehicle, arresting both men at the scene.
Sentenced for Crime Wave
Cuthbert, 20, of Sutton Close, Rainham, was slapped with charges of aggravated vehicle taking and conspiracy to burgle. French, 22, from Lines Terrace, Chatham, faced multiple counts, including burglary conspiracy, aggravated vehicle taking, failure to stop, and driving without insurance.
On February 9, 2023, Maidstone Crown Court sentenced French to five years behind bars. Cuthbert was locked up for two years and one month in a young offenders’ institution. A third suspect is still awaiting sentencing.
“French and Cuthbert are prolific thieves who unabashedly and repeatedly flouted the law in quick succession,” said PC Ella Bootes, the investigating officer.
“They showed no regard for public safety, speeding dangerously to evade arrest. We’re pleased the court has sent a clear message: crime does not pay.”
