Home   Ashford   News   Article

Convicted killer jailed after robbing pensioner

A convicted killer who robbed an 80-year-old man of his wallet just three months after he was released from prison has been jailed for three years.

Robert Baker, who is said to have "a personality disorder with psychotic episodes", pushed the pensioner onto a bed at his home in Ashford before taking his bank card, credit card and cash.

Baker had been invited back to John Kelly's home after the pair struck up conversation in Ashford town centre in May last year.

Baker had only been released in February. Maidstone Crown Court heard he was jailed for six years in 2003 - later reduced on appeal to three years - after being found guilty of the manslaughter of Medway man Martin Swain.

Mr Swain, 44, was fatally attacked in July 2002. He was punched to the head and kicked as he lay on the ground. He cracked his head on the road and suffered brain damage.

Baker, then living in Darnley Road, Strood, had denied manslaughter but was convicted by a jury. His co-defendant David Cheetham, then aged 44 and of Hazlemere Drive, Gillingham, admitted the same charge. The former Royal Engineer was jailed for four years.

At the same time Baker was jailed for Mr Swain's killing, he was also sentenced to four years consecutive for unrelated offences including deception, forgery and theft.

After taking Mr Kelly's wallet Baker used one of the cards to withdraw £250 cash. He failed in a further attempt to withdraw another £250, as well as an attempt to purchase £15 worth of goods at a petrol station.

Baker, of Homestead, Ashford, was later arrested but told police he had not been to Mr Kelly's home.

He originally pleaded not guilty to robbery but later admitted the charge before the case went to trial.

Jailing the 29-year-old Judge Martin Joy said it had not been proven that Baker targetted Mr Kelly. However, he added that those who committed this type of offence on the elderly had to be severely punished.

"It is clear that you couldn't resist temptation and you decided to rob him," added the judge. "You used some degree of force and as a result he was left in some pain in his rib area...This was a violent offence and a dishonest offence."

Judge Joy added that an indeterminate sentence was not necessary as Baker does not pose a significant risk of serious harm to the public, despite his previous convictions which also include another robbery.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More