A violent man who stabbed an off-duty police officer in Strood has been jailed.
Kent Police reported that Harvey Smalling assaulted the victim following an altercation at a fast-food restaurant in Commercial Road, in the early hours of Monday 18 July 2022.
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It’s understood the victim and a friend had politely asked Smalling if an uncollected order was his, to which he unexpectedly reacted in an aggressive manner.
They decided to leave the restaurant in order to avoid any further confrontation but Smalling followed them. Despite their efforts to avoid him by crossing the road, Smalling approached and threatened them. The pair sought to calm him down but the victim was stabbed in the chest with an item Smalling had taken from his bag.
Smalling fled the scene and his victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a serious chest wound. He has since made a full recovery.
His assailant was tracked down and arrested on 20 July. The man who is from Orpington, Greater London was later charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and affray. He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Wednesday 10 January 2024, the 20-year-old was jailed for two years and eight months.
Detective Constable Emma Laimbeer, of the Kent Crime Squad, commented:
‘Smalling is a violent individual who reacted aggressively to a courteous question from his victim. It is entirely appropriate that this criminal is now serving a prison sentence.’