On 25 November 2023, Muraad Musse travelled to Bluewater and entered the Apple Store with an associate. The latter spoke to one of the staff and, whilst they were distracted, Musse pushed the employee to the floor and stole a mobile phone.

Both offenders fled the premises with the stolen item worth almost £1,600, and the police were alerted to the incident. An investigation was completed and images recovered from CCTV led to the identification of Musse. On 30 November, he was arrested at his home address and taken into custody.

Charged

Musse, of Tilson Gardens, Clapham, Greater London was later charged with robbery.

He pleaded guilty and, at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday 9 May 2024, the 24-year-old was sentenced to a year and nine months’ imprisonment.

This included the activation of a suspended sentence.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Alex Burgham, said: ‘Musse and his partner-in-crime travelled into Kent with the sole purpose of stealing a valuable phone. This was accomplished by distracting a shop worker before assaulting them.
‘A prompt investigation led to his identification and Musse was tracked down to an address in London. He was already serving a suspended sentence for a similar offence and a period of time in prison was the only possible conclusion.’