Pair jailed for Dover theft and assault
A man in his 30's had his phone and wallet stolen from him in August 2025
Two Dover thieves who stole banks cards from their victim before assaulting him have been jailed for more than three years between them.
Kent Police were called to reports a man in his 30's was assaulted and left with cuts and bruises to his head in Folkestone Road, near a footpath leading to Military Road, at 11.49pm on 23 August 2025.
He'd been punched and two offenders took his phone and wallet. A court heard the pair made further threats before leaving the scene.
Tom McConnell, 31, and Christopher Bygraves, 37, each admitted the offences before Canterbury Crown Court.
An investigation led to the arrest of Tom McConnell, 31, and Christopher Bygraves, 37, both of Durham Hill, Dover on 29 August. They were charged the following day.
At Canterbury Crown Court, both pleaded guilty to theft, assault and fraud, after using the victim’s bank card to pay for goods at a petrol station in the town.
On Friday 27 February 2026, McConnell, of Durham Hill, Dover, was sentenced to a year and eight months’ imprisonment. Bygraves, also of Durham Hill, was jailed for a year and six months.
Detective Constable Hugo McFadyen said: "This was a frightening and unprovoked attack on a man who was outnumbered by his assailants and who was left by them, with injuries, by the roadside. Praise should go to those members of the public who stepped in to help, and whose evidence assisted the thorough work of our officers in securing the convictions of the offenders.
"I am pleased that custodial sentences have been issued to Bygraves and McConnell since this reflects the seriousness of their actions, and I hope it provides reassurance to the victim, and to the community, that violence and exploitation will not be tolerated."