Thug Couple Busted After Choking Taxi Passenger for Cash in Broad Daylight
Violent Robbery on Gillingham High Street
Dean Lacey, 47, and Michaela Whiting, 39, targeted a man in his 40s after spotting him withdraw £20 from a cash machine in Gillingham. The victim had just booked a taxi to pick him and his partner up from nearby when the crooks pounced.
Chokehold and Theft Caught on CCTV
As the man headed towards the waiting cab, Lacey and Whiting taunted him. “Where does he think he’s going?” Whiting sneered. Lacey then confronted the victim, demanding: “I want what you got.” After a brief tussle, the victim got into the taxi—but Lacey leaned inside, grabbed him by the throat, and rifled through his pockets.
Meanwhile, Whiting forced the victim to hand over his bank card. He reluctantly gave them £5 but refused to part with more cash. The pair also searched a bag belonging to the victim’s partner and stole medication.
Caught Red-Handed and Sentenced
Police reviewed CCTV footage that clearly showed the attack. The duo were arrested at their Railway Street home just two days later. Both admitted robbery, with Whiting also admitting to theft of the medication.
At Maidstone Crown Court on 7 April 2021, the couple were each sentenced to 15 months behind bars.
“Whiting and Lacey have clearly shown they are willing to use excessive violence to steal money,” said investigating officer PC Colin Cherry. “There are no mitigating circumstances for their actions, and I am pleased we have secured justice for the victim.”
