Moment a machete-brandishing thug is discovered cowering below his mattress after terrifying folks together with kids in theft spree

This is the moment a machete-wielding thug who terrorised locals in a Kent town was found by police cowering under his bed.

Cameron Jeffrey threatened to stab people – including children – during an evening of robberies in the Cranbrook area earlier this year.

The 21-year-old – sometimes wearing a balaclava – travelled by car with an associate, seeking out vulnerable and young victims.

He also stole a vehicle for sale after tricking its elderly owner into letting him take it for a test drive. 

Police eventually found hiding under his bed – with officers joking: ‘We got you eventually my friend’.

Kent Police said in one incident on August 4, three teenage boys were targeted as they sat on a bench near Cranbrook High Street.

Jeffrey’s vehicle then suddenly pulled up next to them, before he and the other male exited with their faces disguised.

They threatened to harm the victims, amid demands they surrender all their possessions. A knife was held to one of their faces.

On the same night, an 18-year old man and his girlfriend were approached as they were parked near Headcorn Road, Staplehurst.

Cameron Jeffrey (pictured) threatened locals including children with a machete in an evening of robberies

Jeffrey was found by officers cowering under his bed at his home in Hawkhurst, Kent

The victim’s car door was suddenly opened, and a machete was pushed to his throat, amid demands he hand over his wallet.

Jeffrey and his associate left with a bag stolen from the back seat, before appearing to drive off.

When the victim tried to leave the scene in his car he was confronted again by one of the males, who screamed that the wallet was not in the stolen bag.

He repeatedly struck the windscreen with the machete, causing the glass to break. The victim was only able to make his escape after driving away at speed.

Jeffrey was arrested on August 6 after a mobile phone stolen from the three teenage boys led to his home near Cranbrook Road, Hawkhurst.

Police searched the property where they found him hiding underneath a bed. Further searches led to the recovery of several of the stolen items.

Jeffrey was charged with multiple counts of robbery and possessing a knife in a public place, before being further charged with stealing a vehicle advertised for sale from an address in Cranbrook.

This happened on July 9, after he met with an elderly victim and persuaded him to let him take it for a test drive, police said. The vehicle was later found abandoned after a collision.

Jeffrey pleaded guilty to all the charges at Maidstone Crown Court and on December 12 was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

Further searches of Jeffrey’s address uncovered several stolen items. He was charged with multiple counts of robbery and possessing a knife in a public place

Detective Constable Andy Julier, of Kent Police, said: ‘Jeffrey preyed upon anyone he thought would be easy pickings, including the young and elderly.

‘His many victims have been forced to endure some terrifying and appalling ordeals and were left in genuine fear for their lives.

‘He is a prolific, opportunistic and violent offender who thinks nothing of brandishing weapons on our streets and cares even less about the long-lasting impact his cowardly actions will have had on those he targeted.

‘I do hope the prison sentence Jeffrey is now serving will provide some reassurance to all those who have been affected by his crimes.’