Two men have been jailed after carrying out a violent attack in Herne Bay that left a victim with a fractured skull and a broken nose.
Police were called at around 3.30am on Sunday 3 March 2024 to the High Street, where a man and a woman had been assaulted by strangers. The man had suffered swelling to his brain, a fracture to his skull and a broken nose, while the woman had sustained facial injuries.
The victims had left premises on the High Street following a disturbance around fifteen minutes earlier. The group dispersed but a short while later the victims, who had remained in the area, were set upon by occupants of a white van which had pulled up on the High Street.
Both of the victims were treated by ambulance crews before being taken to a local hospital for further treatment. They were later discharged.
Offenders Patrick Holmes and John Hazelgrove, both 29, fled the scene but were arrested within days of the attack after they were identified by detectives from East Kent CID and charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm.
Both men pleaded guilty and were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday 25 June. Holmes, from Herne Bay and Hazelgrove, of no fixed address, each received a four year jail term.
Detective Constable Georgie Taker said:
‘Holmes and Hazelgrove are violent offenders whose horrific actions that night have had a devastating impact on their victims. I am pleased that they are behind bars and hope it offers some closure to those who have been affected by their crimes.
‘There is no place for violence on the streets of Kent. We will always strive to bring offenders to justice and ensure our county remains a safe place in which people can socialise.’