The trio were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court

by Keith Hunt

Three thugs have been jailed for a terrifying robbery committed at knifepoint at a block of flats.

Ryan Miskin, who wielded the weapon, was sentenced to four years and eight months and Ryan Higglesden and Carl Evans were each sentenced to four-and-a-half years.

Miskin, 27, of Boleyn Court, Manor Street, Chatham; Higglesden, 21, of Quickrells Avenue, Cliffe; and Evans, 21, of Trafalgar Street, Gillingham, admitted robbing Mark Savill and Stephen Gillard.

Michael Godfrey-Jull, 23, of Luton Road, Chatham, admitted handling a mountain bike belonging to Sam Charles and was jailed for two years.

Simon Taylor, prosecuting, said Mr Charles had been at his flat at Steddys Court, Bryant Road, Chatham, on June 19 with friends, drinking cider and playing computer games.

The robbery happened after he went out shopping in the town centre, leaving his friends in the flat.

"the sentences must reflect society's horror at this type of crime. there must be a clear message it will not be tolerated..." – judge charles byers

One pal - Joe Hedges - was taking out some rubbish when he saw the intruders, Mr Taylor told Maidstone Crown Court. One, Miskin, was holding a knife.

They entered the flat and Miskin asked: "Where's the drugs?" When told by Mr Savill they did not have any, Miskin waved the blade in his face causing two scratches.

He shouted: "I am going to do you boy." Evans recognised Mr Savill and told Miskin not to stab him. Some of the gang went into the bedroom and brought out a laptop computer and mobile phone.

Miskin asked Mr Hedges for a cigarette and when told he did not have one grabbed him, put the knife to his face and threatened to "cut him up".

Drug addict Miskin waved the knife around shouting: "Where's Mr Good? Where's the weed?"

He kicked Mr Gillard in the chest and then held the blade against his neck and told him to empty his pockets.

"All gang members stripped the flat of anything of value," said the prosecutor. "One had a sports bag and put anything in it that could be sold."

The mountain bike was taken and Godfrey-Jull tried to sell it at Cash Converters in Chatham. The four men were arrested after police inspected CCTV film at Steddys Court.

Judge Charles Byers said: "The sentences must reflect society's horror at this type of crime. There must be a clear message it will not be tolerated."