CHATHAM – A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the manslaughter of a victim he killed with two unprovoked punches in a Chatham car park.
John Farmer, left, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, February 12, 2026. In addition to his 10-year custodial term, the judge imposed an extended license period of three years, citing the severity of the fatal encounter.
The conviction follows an investigation into an assault that took place on April 1, 2024. The court heard that Farmer approached his 33-year-old victim in a car park on Magpie Hall Road and delivered two punches without provocation.
The victim collapsed at the scene and was treated by paramedics before being airlifted to a London hospital. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead the following day.
Farmer was arrested by investigators on April 4, 2024, and subsequently charged with manslaughter. Although Farmer entered a plea of not guilty, he was convicted by a jury following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court. During the sentencing hearing, the court detailed the unprovoked nature of the violence that led to the victim’s death. Farmer will now serve the majority of his decade-long sentence before being eligible for release under his extended license conditions.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber said:
‘This sentence highlights the serious repercussions of assaulting someone without considering the potential harm that may be caused. Farmer’s punches led to a man tragically losing his life and he must now face the consequences of his actions over several years. I would like to thank the witnesses who has assisted our investigation and hope the victim’s family and friends can find some closure now this man has been brought to justice.’