Faversham: Edward and Roxanne Thomas attacked in East Street robbery
00:01, 24 August 2018
A newlywed couple attacked in a late-night robbery have been left feeling “anxious and scared”.
Roxanne, 28, and 32-year-old Edward Thomas, who married just three months ago, were walking home from a friend’s house when they were set upon in East Street.
The pair moved to Faversham just two years ago and say the incident, which happened shortly before 2.30am on Saturday, August 11, has left them shocked.
Mrs Thomas, of West Street, said: “It is a walk we have done so many times and we have never had any issues.
“We were just walking along and I laughed at something Ed said, and as soon as I laughed a guy cycling past slammed his brakes on, turned around, dumped the bike in the road and started running towards us.
“He started shouting ‘you what mate, you what mate’ and I said ‘I’m just laughing at my husband, I’m not laughing at you’.
“At that point he just started punching Ed in the face, multiple times.
“It’s all a bit of a blur but I was shouting at him to get off and trying to push him off.
“He must have seen the leather shoulder bag I had on my shoulder as it was flailing about while I was trying to protect Ed.
“He yanked it hard and it broke where he pulled it off me.
“He then did a runner back to his bike, and I ran after him and I grabbed my bag and tried to pull it back off him but he got on his bike and was gone.”
The snatched bag contained Mrs Thomas’ bank cards, driving licence and keys – which set alarm bells ringing when the pair realised the would-be thief had their address and door key.
“The bag had my driving licence, which has my address on, and my keys in it, so straight away we thought we need to get home because he could get in the house,” Mrs Thomas said.
“We rang 999 and the police met us at the house after doing a check of the area.
“We’ve had to change the front and back locks and I’ve had to get all my cards replaced.
“It’s left us feeling very anxious.
“We both went to work on the Monday but Ed had a bit of a panic and came home. We were both very worried, knowing that person knows where we live.
“I guess we are lucky it wasn’t more serious but it was still scary.
“I’m really nervous now, and I won’t go out at night until I feel better, I’ll drive everywhere instead of walk because you’re vulnerable when you’re on foot.”
Mr Thomas added: “It’s a shock for it to even happen at all, it’s difficult to piece it together effectively because it was so quick.
“The local community has been very supportive and we are thankful for that.
“The police have also been great and did everything they could.
“Everyone is really shocked that it has happened.”
Police are investigating the incident.
A spokesman said: “Police are investigating a report that a man and woman were robbed in East Street, Faversham, between 2am and 2.38am on Saturday, August 11.
“A man is reported to have approached the pair and snatched a handbag from a woman, before cycling away on a push bike.
“At present no arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01795 419119 quoting XY/050036/18.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111.