Two men from Romney Marsh have been jailed for a combined total of 11 years after carrying out a brutal armed home invasion in a violent raid on a property in Rectory Lane.
The terrifying incident occurred during a high-stakes aggravated burglary that left the victims battered and traumatised.
In the early hours of Tuesday 26 August 2025, 41-year-old Gavin Power and 22-year-old William Hobday forced their way into a house on Rectory Lane. Masked and armed with a metal pole, the pair launched a violent, pre-planned attack on two men they knew, amid an ongoing dispute.
The victims resisted and managed to remove the attackers’ balaclavas, revealing their faces during the chaotic confrontation.
One of the victims escaped to nearby homes to seek help and witnessed the suspects making a daring escape by jumping over a wall and fleeing in a dark vehicle.
Kent Police responded quickly, locating Power’s car and arresting him on the same day. Power denied entering the property but admitted being nearby and recognised a balaclava found at the scene, though he could not explain how it got inside.
Forensic analysis found saliva and blood on the balaclavas, with DNA evidence confirming Hobday’s involvement. Police also discovered a hoodie matching CCTV footage in Hobday’s bedroom, which led to his arrest on 11 September 2025.
Both men pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court on 3 October 2025. On 21 January 2026, Power was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison, while Hobday received a five-year sentence.
Detective Constable Rebecca Keeler said: “This was a violent and targeted attack that left both victims with lasting physical and emotional injuries. Those who choose to inflict violence on others should know it won’t be tolerated in Kent. Officers will use every lead to bring offenders to justice.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
