Fake Wheelchair User Jailed for Violent Beer Theft

On the evening of June 3, 2025, a 19-year-old shoplifter named Davey Brown was caught on camera faking a disability to steal beer from a Sainsbury's supermarket in Staplehurst, Kent. Brown had arrived at the store pretending to be a wheelchair user, assisted by an unidentified accomplice. He then hid two crates of beer beneath a jacket on his lap and attempted to leave without paying.

However, Brown's ruse was quickly exposed when a security guard confronted him. Astonishing footage shows the teenager suddenly standing up from the wheelchair and launching a violent attack, throwing stolen beer cans and punches at the guard. Another shop employee was also injured during the incident.

Despite his initial escape, Brown was tracked down by police around 30 minutes later. He was later charged with a range of offenses, including robbery, affray, and property damage. On November 16, 2025, Brown pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced to 3 years and 1 month in prison. A 17-year-old accomplice was also sentenced to 6 months in a young offenders' institute for his involvement in the crime.

Investigating officer PC Ricky Strong described Brown as a "violent man" who had endangered another motorist, attacked the security guard and their colleague, and made threats to the attending police officers. The custodial sentence means Brown will be unable to put any other members of the public at risk for some time.