Cash machine raiders banned from using diggers after release from prison
Anthony Pemberthy and Stephen Davenport used diggers to rip cash machines from the walls of businesses
Cash machine raiders jailed for a series of costly offences across Kent have been issued with court orders designed to control their activities after prison.
Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) obtained by Kent Police mean that Anthony Pemberthy and Stephen Davenport will be unable to contact each other for three years. They will also be restricted from operating mechanical diggers or using cutting equipment like angle grinders and bolt croppers without permission.
A total of 23 criminals across the county are currently subject to SCPOs, with a further eight obtained against individuals who currently remain in prison. Kent Police carries out regular checks to ensure the orders are being adhered to, with any breaches punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine.
Pemberthy, 46, formerly of Calder Road, Maidstone, and Davenport, 63, formerly of Ashford Road, Maidstone, caused huge structural damage when they used diggers to rip cash machines from the walls of businesses in Cranbrook, Staplehurst, Whitfield, Northfleet, Dymchurch and Dargate between November 2019 and March 2021.
Both men received significant custodial sentences in November 2022 with Pemberthy being jailed for eight years and nine months, and Davenport for seven years and five months.
Pemberthy later had a further 18 months added to his sentence when he failed to repay £108,000 of illegally-obtained funds as instructed by a judge using legislation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The issuing and monitoring of SCPOs is one of the ways in which police forces disrupt the activities of suspected organised crime groups.
As well as making 188 arrests, securing 186 charges and overseeing prison sentences totalling 170 years during 2024/25, officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have also overseen more than 700 ‘disruptions’ in Kent since January 2025. These include recalling offenders to prison for breaches of licence, seizing criminal assets, preventing prison visits, making arrests and more.
Detective Chief Inspector Eleanor Miller of Kent Police said: ‘Organised crime groups bring misery to people’s lives whether they are stealing cash machines, supplying class A drugs or being involved in other types of serious offending.
‘Whilst it is always satisfying when such criminals are sent to prison and can no longer pose a risk to the public, it is important to plan ahead for their eventual release so they do not return to their old ways and commit further offences.
‘Serious Crime Prevention Orders are one of the many tools at our disposal and we will continue to utilise them when appropriate and use other forms of disruption to ensure Kent remains a safe place to live, work and visit.’
The SCPOs against Pemberthy and Davenport were granted by a judge at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 30 July 2025.