Two Gravesend robbers were jailed after a police sergeant responded to their advert for a stolen phone, arresting one of them on the spot.

Abid Rafiq, 38, and Paul Appleford, 35, subjected a 19-year-old to a “prolonged ordeal”, marching him to a cashpoint on Northfleet High Street before taking his phone.

Both were jailed on July 15 after admitting robbery, along with Mark Appleford, 28, Paul’s brother, who encouraged the victim to drop support for the prosecution with a cash offer.

At around 8.15pm on March 28 the victim became aware he was being followed along the High Street, picking up his pace.

News Shopper: Northfleet High StreetNorthfleet High Street

Rafiq caught up with him, grabbed the front of his coat and asked “what have you got?”

Appleford then appeared, and the two offenders escorted the victim to a cash machine in Stonebridge Road before demanding him to withdraw £200.

When the offenders realised the victim had insufficient funds, Rafiq reached into his coat pocket and stole his mobile phone. The victim then ran away.

The next day, the victim used an online feature to track his phone to the Hampton Crescent area of Gravesend.

Additional checks on social media showed the handset was being advertised for sale for £200.

After police were notified that the seller had agreed to sell it to one of the victim’s relatives, a detective from visited the address where the purchase was supposed to take place.

As Appleford met who he thought was the buyer, he was arrested.

A review of CCTV and enquiries by investigators into Appleford’s regular contacts lead to the arrest of Rafiq later the same day.

While in prison, Paul Appleford conspired with his brother, Mark, to pressure the victim to drop the case.

Mark Appleford called victim, offering him £2,000 in exchange for not supporting a prosecution. The offer was refused.

Detectives then proved the call had been made from a phone number registered to Mark Appleford.

Rafiq, 38, of Hampton Crescent, Gravesend, admitted robbery and was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison.

Paul Appleford, 35, of Brunswick Walk, Gravesend, admitted robbery and perverting the course of justice. He was jailed for six years.

Mark Appleford, 28, of Hampton Crescent, Gravesend, admitted perverting the course of justice and received a six month prison sentence.

Detective Constable Jess Summers, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: "The victim of this crime was subjected to a prolonged ordeal and would have had every reason to believe they were going to be seriously assaulted if they did not comply with the offender’s requests.

"Both men’s willingness to use violence shows them to be a considerable danger to the public and I am pleased that a prison sentence has been imposed."

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