Two men have been sentenced for their roles in an assault in Folkestone which resulted in the death of a man.
On Tuesday 2 May 2023 at Canterbury Crown Court, Mark Green was given a custodial sentence of eight years after he admitted the manslaughter of Anthony Armstrong.
Ruben Smith was sentenced to a year in custody for affray and causing actual bodily harm against Mr Armstrong.
The victim had been walking with friends in New Street, Folkestone, during the afternoon of Sunday 6 October 2022 when he saw a group of people he knew. The group included Green and Smith.
Smith took offence to comments made by Mr Armstrong and proceeded to punch him in the face. Green then continued the assault and the victim fell backwards, hitting his head on the ground.
Green and Smith then left the scene, but were identified by officers and arrested the same day.
Mr Armstrong was unconscious as a result of the assault and was flown to a London hospital but never recovered from his injuries. The 49-year-old died three days later.
Charged
Following an investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, the two men were charged in connection with the assault of Mr Armstrong and also with one count of affray in relation to a separate incident.
At court, 19-year-old Smith from Folkestone admitted counts of causing actual bodily harm and the affray, and was found not guilty of manslaughter following a trial. Green, 41 and of no fixed abode, admitted the manslaughter but was found not guilty of affray.
Mindless street violence
Investigating officer DC Tania Pickering said: ‘This incident was an example of how mindless street violence can end in tragic consequences, the loss of a life and for Green and Smith – custodial sentences. I thank the witnesses for their support in the investigation and my thoughts are with Mr Armstrong’s family and friends.’