Karl Kaynar, 42, made a terrifying entrance at a Swanley pizza shop on March 23 last year. Waving what looked like a gun, he coldly asked staff: “Do you want to die?”
Not stopping there, Kaynar grabbed £400 from the till and fled the scene.
More Violence at Asda Petrol Station
The very next morning, the same thug struck again—this time at a nearby Asda petrol station. Armed with a knife and a broken paving slab, Kaynar threatened employees before stealing thousands of pounds.
He even warned a victim he’d throw acid in their face if they didn’t cooperate.
Kent Police Nab Armed Thug
Police tracked Kaynar down and arrested him later that day. Searches near the crimes uncovered the ‘gun’—an air weapon disguised to look deadly—and a knife hidden at a Swanley address linked to him.
Guilty Plea & Stiff Sentence
Kaynar, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to two counts of robbery, possession of an imitation firearm and a knife in public. He also admitted additional theft, drugs offences, and a separate armed robbery investigated by the Met Police.
Yesterday (October 22), Kaynar was sentenced to nine years and four months behind bars. He’d already spent 18 months on remand. Plus, he must serve another 86 days for breaching a suspended sentence. Upon release, he faces a four-year licence period.
Det Const Rosie Acton, Kent Police, said: “Kaynar’s actions left his victims in genuine fear for their lives. The gun he used looked very real even if it wasn’t genuine.
He held a kitchen knife to a shop assistant’s back and made chilling acid threats. Had we not caught him quickly, he would have targeted more victims.
I hope his lengthy sentence reassures those living and working in Swanley.”