Gillingham Crook Jailed for Four Years After Charity Shop Heist in Rochester
A Gillingham man has been locked up for four years after robbing a Rochester charity shop not once, but twice.
Two Bold Thefts at Rochester Charity Shop
Malcolm Shipley, 44, from Windmill Road, Gillingham, masterminded a pair of daring raids on the same charity shop on Rochester High Street. On 25 September 2016, nearly £620 was stolen from the shop’s safe in a reported burglary. Forensic evidence linked Shipley to the crime when pliers found at the scene matched him.
A second, more violent robbery followed on 26 November 2016, when Shipley threatened a staff member with a kitchen knife to force her to open the safe. He escaped with just over £600. His thumbprint was found on a knife block at the scene, sealing his guilt.
Coercion and Threats Behind the Scenes
Investigators revealed Shipley coerced a staff member into helping stage the first burglary. When she refused to take part in the second, he threatened her with a knife and fled with the cash.
The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to both burglary and robbery at Maidstone Crown Court on 29 October 2019 and was sentenced the same day.
Police Condemn Knife Crime
Police Constable Kati Edge said, “Shipley controlled and threatened a woman until she was forced against her will to be part of his crimes.”
“His use of a knife shows just how far he was willing to go to steal from a charity and get what he wanted.”
“Kent Police takes a tough approach to those who use knives to intimidate others and commit crimes. I’m pleased Shipley is now behind bars and no longer a threat to society.”
