A judge scolded police for releasing a robber who preyed on women in the dark after twice catching him "red-handed".

Judge Rupert Lowe blasted police for repeatedly freeing crack addict Jack Edmed despite CCTV evidence linking him to an Ashford robbery.

The 26-year-old would go on to commit burglary a week later, get re-arrested, re-released, then target another home, Canterbury Crown Court heard.

Judge Lowe dubbed the force's decisions "incomprehensible" and said the police "knew" the former-scaffolder would carry on his crime-wave.

“Amazingly the police released you on bail knowing they had you on CCTV, red-handed for an offence, and they released you anyway”, he said.

“What were they thinking of? What did the police think he was going to do?

“Police are releasing people on bail who they know are going to commit further offences on members of the public.”

Prosecutors explained Edmed robbed former police officer Sheila Sheridan-Pilcher in a Singleton back-alley, during the night of July 23 last year.

The drug-addict wrestled the 55-year-old’s handbag away knocking her to the floor, after she disclosed being an ex-police officer mid-tussle.

As Edmed’s shaken and bruised victim alerted police, he made his way to the Eureka Business Park in Rutherford Road 30 minutes later, to cash-in on his ill-gotten gains.

Police would soon identify the robber, who has 16 convictions for 22 offences, on CCTV using his victim’s bank card at One Stop.

Prosecutor Edmund Fowler continued: “When he was arrested he answered no questions, he was then released on police bail.”

The court also heard Edmed crept into Muhammad Chaudhry’s home in Perch Road a week later, stole his bank card and went on a spending spree in Chocolate Box, Tesco, and Mankind.

But despite police identifying Edmed on shop CCTV committing fraud he was released again on police bail.

A month later Edmed targeted a home in Willesborough Court, swiping vehicle keys, a wallet, cash, and her bank card.

Judge Lowe told him: “That is a decision made by police that I can’t understand, it directly led to you committing other offences on members of the public.”

Police finally detained the suspect after being caught using the card at a Budgens BP garage and McDonald's.

Mr Fowler explained Edmed would largely buy cigarettes and lager, and was seen wearing the same orange hoodie on CCTV footage.

Edmed pleaded guilty to one count of robbery, two burglaries, and eight counts of fraud at previous hearings.

Mitigating, Paul Hogben, said his client had overcome addiction to crack cocaine since being on remand four months ago.

He added Edmed suffers autism and ADHD, who became a drug addict after growing up in a broken home.

Jailing him for five-and-half-years, Judge Lowe said: “People who you pull over in dark allies and creep around their house at night don’t care if you’ve had a difficult childhood.

“You grabbed her bag and you pulled until you got it. She tried to hold onto it, she did her best, but you pulled her over onto the floor where she hurt her elbow and thigh and off you ran.”

Wearing a white Converse T-shirt in court, Edmed, of no fixed address, spoke only to confirm his name and plea in court.

Police Supt Simon Thompson said: "The use of bail is a recognised way for police forces to manage people who are suspected of committing a criminal offence.

"While CCTV footage is often a valuable line of enquiry, it is not always enough to immediately secure a charge against a suspect and sometimes further investigation is required.

"In this particular case it was not possible to secure a copy of the footage prior to the suspect’s first arrest and there were also further witness statements required for both incidents that could not be obtained while he remained in custody.

"He was therefore released on bail with conditions that restricted his movements.

"Kent Police officers take all reasonable steps to prevent suspects released on bail from committing further offences.

"However, it is important to remember that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty and while their freedom can be restricted while on bail, it cannot be taken away completely.

"It is therefore impossible to guarantee that an arrested suspect will not commit an offence while on bail."

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