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One-man Whitstable crimewave targeted Hotel Continental, Rose in Bloom, Chocolate Box and Whitstable Nursing Home

A one-man crimewave went on a nine-month rampage of burglaries, robbery and violence as he wreaked havoc across a seaside town.

Christopher Green, 25, targeted homes, hotels, pubs and shops during his prolonged offending spree in Whitstable.

The Hotel Continental in Whitstable Pic: Google
The Hotel Continental in Whitstable Pic: Google

He even attacked a newsagent, hurled a rock at a terrified woman and snatched the glasses off the face of a man in the street.

Judge Mark Weekes today jailed Green for five years, telling him the residents and businesses of Whitstable could "do with a break" from his prolific offending.

Canterbury Crown Court heard the crime spree began when Green crept into a home in Wavecrest and stole keys to a Porsche 911, which he drove off in.

A fortnight later he trespassed into a home intending to steal, in Beacon House, Tankerton Beach. He was also caught committing another burglary and committing criminal damage.

Some eight months would pass during which, according to the court, no crimes were committed.

The Rose in Bloom pub in Seasalter Pic: Google
The Rose in Bloom pub in Seasalter Pic: Google

But Green’s offending turned frenetic in August this year.

Over 48 hours he burgled three homes, fraudulently used bank cards on three occasions, and ripped a till off the counter in the Hotel Continental in Beachwalk.

Green then trained his sights on The Rose In Bloom pub in Joy Lane, but failing to gain access he burgled the Whitstable Nursing Home in Westcliff.

When he tried using a victim’s bank card in the Chocolate Box newsagents in Old Bridge Road the owner gave chase.

However, Green threw a can of drink at his head and punched him before fleeing.

The Chocolate Box newsagents in Old Bridge Road, Whitstable Pic: Google
The Chocolate Box newsagents in Old Bridge Road, Whitstable Pic: Google

Cycling, he struck and snatched spectacles from George Holdsworth’s face, leaving the man “dazed” by the seafront two days later.

The court heard one burglary victim heard smashing from downstairs, looked out of the window and shouted at Green to leave.

“He did not leave, instead he threw a rock at her,” Prosecutor Caroline Knight said.

Green, who has 16 convictions for 28 offences, was on bail and serving a suspended prison sentence at the time of his crimewave.

The offences were largely carried out at night, a factor Judge Weekes deemed “aggravating”.

Whitstable Nursing Home in Westcliff, Whitstable Pic: Google
Whitstable Nursing Home in Westcliff, Whitstable Pic: Google

Green insisted in court he heard voices, people were following him, and repeatedly spoke unintelligibly to a judge, but a psychiatrist ruled the 25-year-old mentally fit, albeit lonely.

Mitigating, Paul Hogben explained the report deemed Green’s behaviour a cry for help, carried out by an isolated man with an unhealthy attachment with mental health services.

Green, of no fixed abode, admitted 16 fresh counts including burglary, robbery, fraud, assault and theft offences.

Jailing Green, Judge Weekes said: “Safe to say that the residents and business owners of Whitstable could do with a break from you and your activities, many of these offences are unpleasant, many would have caused great distress."

PC Mike Kingwell, who was part of the team working on the case, said: "I hope Christopher Green realises his offending has consequences.

Canterbury Crown Court
Canterbury Crown Court

"Behind his crimes are victims who not only have had the inconvenience of losing their belongings, but also had to come to terms with the unsettling intrusion into their home or personal space through Green’s actions.

"I expect a lot of people in Whitstable will be looking forward to Christmas, knowing Green will be unable to cause any more upset to the community."

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable

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