Three men have been sentenced over a violent robbery in Chatham High Street.

A judge at Basildon Crown Court heard at 11.30am on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 a man in his 20s was robbed in the town centre.

The victim, who was was not local and was visiting a friend, was waiting outside a bank when he was approached by the trio.

He was asked why he was there before one of the gang reportedly threatened to "shank" him. He fled but was chased and tripped over.

The victim was asked to empty his pocket and was relieved of his cash, mobile phone and a ring.

After the incident was reported, officers searched the area and arrested the suspects that same day, and they were subsequently charged.

Raffaello Pozzuolo, 18, of Princess Way in Thamesmead and Oluwadamiloa Oluruntola, 19 of Russett Way in Lewisham have now been sent to prison, while Randee Hall, 19, of Barnfield Road, was handed a suspended sentence.

Pozzuolo was jailed for four years and two months after pleading guilty to robbery.

Oluruntola was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to handling stolen goods and one charge of possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine, relating to a separate incident.

Hall's six month sentence was suspended for 12 months, and he was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.

"This was an unprovoked attack on an innocent man who was in town to visit a friend" - Det Con Terrance Hanlon

Oluruntola was also charged with drug offences after an incident nine days earlier in Fort Pitt Street, Chatham.

He tried to flee from officers after being found with 67 individual wraps with both brown and white powder, but was caught and arrested.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Terrance Hanlon said: "This was an unprovoked attack on an innocent man who was in town to visit a friend.

"Pozzuolo not only threatened the victim but then chased him to an isolated area where he threatened him again before robbing him of his possessions.

"Oluruntola and Hall were each found with the stolen items and I’m confident that they would have sold them on if they had not have been recovered.

"I’m also pleased that Oluruntola has been sentenced in relation to the drugs as this reinforces that the distribution and supply of drugs throughout Kent and Medway will not be tolerated and those responsible for these offences will face the consequences."