A machete-wielding burglar who posed as a delivery driver to get into a flat before leaving a victim with a partially-severed thumb, has been jailed for eight years.

Lenard Coates, 23, dressed up as a parcel delivery driver in order to gain access to a property before attacking the victim in front of his terrified partner and child.

He escaped just minutes later with £2,500 in cash and a watch.

CCTV footage captured the moment Coates turned up to the property driving a white  van just before 9am on March 21, 2025.

Coates entered the block of flats in Maidstone, Kent wearing a high-vis jacket and gloves, carrying a cardboard box parcel as a prop. 

He gained access to the block of flats by running to a closing door and entering the building.

Coates was then seen walking through the corridor on the ground floor of the building.

Once inside, he pushed his way into one of the properties and pulled out a machete, which he threatened the terrified family with. 

Coates entered the block of flats in Maidstone, Kent wearing a high-vis jacket and gloves, carrying a cardboard box parcel as a prop

Lenard Coates was jailed for eight years following an aggravated burglary in Maidstone

Coates launched an unprovoked attack on the man and took a watch from a woman before locating and leaving with the family’s savings in the incident. 

Just minutes later he was seen bursting out of the door with his face covered and running towards his van before speeding off.

Kent Police rushed to the scene along with paramedics.

The victim was left with series injuries to his hand and thumb which required specialist reconstructive surgery.

An investigation was launched and officers found Coates’ van within two hours of the burglary.

Forensic enquiries, alongside a review of CCTV, later saw him arrested and charged.

Coates initially declined to enter a plea but later pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, causing grievous bodily harm, and possession of a knife in a public place.

The 23-year-old, of no fixed address, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday.

Coates was then seen walking through the corridor on the ground floor of the building

Just minutes later he was seen bursting out of the door with his face covered and running towards his van

Coates sped off in the van with the family’s savings of £2,500 and a watch

He will serve an extended licence period of two years upon his release and has been made the subject of a restraining order for 15 years.

Detective Constable Lottie Bishop of Kent Police who led the investigation, said:

‘Coates violently assaulted his victim, leaving him with life-changing injuries, to walk away with a relatively small sum of money.

‘The lengthy custodial sentence appropriately reflects the viciousness of the attack, which he carried out in front of the victim’s partner and young child, with complete disregard for the impact of his actions.

‘We hope the family find some comfort in knowing Coates will be locked up and unable to inflict harm on others.’