Three men have been jailed for an aggravated burglary in Rochester in which a masked gang attacked an elderly couple, spraying tear gas and stealing watches and jewellery.
The victims, both in their 70s, were targeted at their home on the evening of January 12, 2026. CCTV footage shows the woman stepping outside to put bins out before a masked man pulled her to the ground and dragged her inside. Other intruders, all dressed in dark clothing, followed him into the property.
Violent ordeal inside the home
Once inside, one of the men tried unsuccessfully to remove rings from the woman’s fingers. Another attacker found her husband in a separate room and sprayed tear gas into his eyes. The man was beaten and forced to hand over his watch.
The burglars searched the property, stealing a selection of watches and jewellery. Just four minutes after arriving, they left, locking the couple inside and taking their mobile phones to prevent them from calling for help. They escaped in a stolen car displaying false number plates, which police found the following day.
Investigation and sentencing
A Kent Police investigation found that ringleader Jesse Eastwood had spent nearly a year planning the raid and recruiting others. He gathered information about the victims and their home, discussing plans during regular calls to a prisoner he knew, including descriptions of the couple, the layout of the house, and the watches he wanted to steal.
After the raid, Eastwood reported back on what had happened, describing the experience as a ‘horror story’ and discussing the assaults. The second burglar, Thomas O’Sullivan, had known the couple through their kindness and had even been on holidays with them. While living with the victims, he provided Eastwood with information that helped plan the theft. Forensic testing on a jewellery box led investigators to identify the third offender, Christoper David.
All three men were arrested and charged with aggravated burglary at the beginning of February. Eastwood, 34, of Perry Hall Road, Orpington, was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison. O’Sullivan, 27, of Yalding Hill, Maidstone, received two years and five months, while David, 41, of Downham Way, Bromley, was jailed for six years and nine months.
Detective Aaron Chapman said: ‘The victims have remained courageous and steadfast throughout the investigation despite what they were forced to go through at the hands of their attackers. We thank them for their support of the case and hope the result will bring them peace and reassurance.’
