Man found guilty of using fake gun in £50k cash raid at Strood petrol station

A MAN who was part of gang who stole £50k from a cash van at a Strood petrol station has been found guilty of using an imitation gun in the raid.

George Brockett, formerly of Mangold Way, Erith, already admitted to conspiring to commit robbery at the Esso service station in Cuxton Road, on 19 September last year.

The 25-year-old, along with Alfie Barker, 18, from Erith, and Michael McClusky, 25, from Abbey Wood, targeted the garage in broad daylight and made off with around £50,000 from a cash-in-transit van.

Witnesses to the robbery said they had seen a weapon and firearms officers were swiftly deployed, along with a police helicopter.

Brockett was arrested two days later while Barker and McClusky were both arrested and charged by 25 September.

When his trial started at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday last week Brockett had denied charges of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery.

But a jury found him guilty of the charge and he will be sentenced along with Barker and McClusky on Friday 22 March.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Wayne Totterdell, said: "I'm pleased the court has found Brockett guilty today.

"He has tried to play down how big a part he played in the cash in transit robbery on 19 September by denying he agreed to the use of an imitation firearm despite evidence showing otherwise.

"This was a terrifying ordeal for the victims involved but I'd like to take the opportunity to praise the efforts of those who gave evidence and the officers who worked tirelessly to bring these three robbers to justice."

See a video of the robbery at This is Kent.