Two robbers who threatened motorists and dragged them from their vehicles have been jailed following an investigation by detectives.
Cain Hughes, 23 and of Poole, and Kalup Hughes, 34 and of no fixed abode, were sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, 29 January 2026.
At around 7.40pm on Friday, 14 February 2025, Dorset Police began receiving multiple calls from members of the public about two men in the area of Lewell Road near Crossways.
The men were stopping other motorists and asking for assistance with their car, a Ford Focus, which had broken down near the Woodsford level crossing.
They approached a Mercedes being driven by a man. They pulled him from his seat and attempted to drive off in the vehicle before colliding with a barrier at the level crossing.
After decamping the Mercedes, they approached several other vehicles in attempts to gain access. This involved opening car doors, making threats to the vehicle occupants and attempting to pull them from their seats.
This was unsuccessful, and so the men fled the scene on foot.
Officers attended and despite an extensive search of the area, they were not located.
An investigation was launched by detectives and fast time enquiries were carried out. Witness statements and analysis of fingerprints on the victims’ vehicles identified Cain Hughes and Kalup Hughes as being the two men involved.
They were arrested and Cain was subsequently charged with robbery, attempted robbery and theft of a motor vehicle, and Kalup was charged with robbery, attempted robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.
Cain was sentenced to three years in prison and Kalup was jailed for five years and four months.
Investigations Officer Florence Winstanley, of Dorset County CID, said: “There were a number of victims in this case, and it must have been a terrifying ordeal for each of them.
“Cain Hughes and Kalup Hughes were driving in a vehicle without a licence or any insurance. When this vehicle broke down, they asked other motorists to assist them, and these people were met with aggression and violence.
“They stole a Mercedes, which they then crashed into the railway crossing, before turning their attentions to other road users, threatening them and attempting to drag them from their vehicles.
“The judge praised the bravery of the victims, one of whom was a lone female who, despite being physically and verbally threatened, refused to leave her vehicle.
“Cain and Kalup thought that they could escape justice by fleeing on foot, but our enquiries placed them back at the scene and ensured they were brought before the courts to face justice for their actions.”
