A convicted cash machine raider from Kent has had his prison sentence extended after failing to repay more than £108,000 in illegal profits.
Longer Sentence for Anthony Pemberthy
Anthony Pemberthy, 46, formerly of Calder Road, Maidstone, was originally jailed for eight years and nine months in November 2022 for his role in a series of cash machine thefts across Kent, targeting petrol stations and supermarkets.
However, after a financial investigation by Kent Police under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Pemberthy was ordered in October 2024 to repay £108,000. Having failed to meet this repayment, he was brought back before a court on 15 April 2025 and had an additional 18 months added to his sentence.
Co-Defendant Repays His Share
Pemberthy’s co-defendant, Stephen Davenport, 63, formerly of Ashford Road, Maidstone, successfully repaid his £14,300 debt and avoided any extension to his seven-year, five-month prison term.
Organised Crime Across Kent
The crimes linked to Pemberthy and Davenport included six serious incidents between November 2019 and March 2021, involving the use of diggers to remove cash machines from businesses:
- 14 November 2019: Co-op, Cranbrook High Street – nearly £30,000 stolen.
- 25 January 2020: Esso Petrol Station, Staplehurst – £20,000 stolen and £80,000 damage caused.
- 23 March 2020: Tesco Extra, Whitfield – over £200,000 stolen and £40,000 damage, police cars rammed.
- 31 January 2021: Morrisons, Northfleet – failed attempt, significant property damage.
- 28 February 2021: Tesco Express, Dymchurch – failed attempt, significant damage.
- 1 March 2021: Shell Lychgate Petrol Station, Thanet Way – £50,000 stolen.
Advanced DNA techniques helped police link Davenport to the stolen pick-up trucks and Pemberthy to the operation of the diggers used during multiple raids.
Police Crackdown on Organised Crime
Stewart Ross-Cumming, a financial investigator at Kent Police, said:
Criminals should know that our work doesn’t end when they are jailed. We will continue to look into their finances and recoup the money they made from their offences. If they fail to repay these sums, further jail time awaits them.”
This work is part of the actions Kent Police takes every day to crack down on organised crime and get justice for victims.
The Kent Police continue to pursue organised crime offenders, using both criminal and financial penalties to ensure that criminals do not profit from their activities.
