Two men jailed over Kettering robbery and assault

Two men have been jailed after a man and a woman were robbed and assaulted in Kettering town centre.

Shortly after midnight on May 16 this year, the victims were in Horse Market using a cashpoint when they were approached by Philip Moore, aged 40, and Garfield Stone, aged 58, who asked them for money and the use of their mobile phones.

When the pair refused, Moore and Stone followed them into Carrington Street before Moore assaulted the man, knocking him to the floor unconscious and causing the woman to flee in terror.

Moore then chased the woman and punched her in the face while attempting to steal her phone, before returning to the male victim to assault him again, rifling through his pockets and stealing his bank card and phone.

*This CCTV footage of the incident has been released with the support of the victims in this case.*

After calling 999, the woman was found bloodied and bruised in Silver Street by police officers, with her friend taken to hospital by paramedics suffering head and facial injuries.

Officers soon located Moore and Stone in the area and when Stone was searched, the man’s phone and bank card were found on him.

Both were arrested and charged with robbery and attempted robbery, appearing before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on May 17 where they were remanded in custody ahead of a crown court appearance on June 28.

Moore went on to plead guilty to both offences, with Stone due to go on trial in November before a plea deal was agreed that saw him admit charges of common assault and handling stolen goods.

Stone, of West Street, Kettering, was sentenced to 15 weeks’ imprisonment at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday, November 21.

At the same court last week (Thursday, December 14), Moore, formerly of Nene Road, Burton Latimer, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Speaking afterwards, investigating officer PC Logan Breed said: “This was a particularly violent attack, which could easily have had even more serious consequences for the victims.

“While Garfield Stone initially tried to help the male victim after Moore’s first attack, he then did little to stop Moore from continually assaulting him and stealing his possessions, instead joining in.

“The CCTV of the incident is utterly chilling, and I’m grateful that the evidence we were able to gather meant both defendants have admitted their guilt, sparing the victims from having to appear in court.

“Tackling serious violence is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police and those who commit violence of any sort have no place in our communities. I hope both defendants use their time in prison to reflect on their life choices and make better ones when they are released.”