Victims violently beaten with metal cannister in unprovoked attack

A metal gas cannister was used as a weapon during a series of violent incidents in Maidstone which have led to a man being jailed.   

Lauchlan Pritchard attacked two strangers with the heavy object before making his getaway, by terrorising a takeaway delivery driver and stealing his car.   

Pritchard initially approached two men in Lower Stone Street, during the early hours of 19 May 2024.

They were unknown to their attacker, who suddenly struck repeated blows to their heads with a large cylinder, used to consume nitrous oxide.

The men tried to flee but were pursued. One of them fell to the floor and struck his head on the pavement. When he attempted to stand he was beaten again and knocked unconscious.

Car stolen from delivery driver 

After Pritchard left the scene, he approached a car occupied by a pizza delivery driver.

He stood in front of the vehicle, forcing it to stop before getting into the passenger seat.

The driver was ordered to head in the direction of Courtenay Road, where Pritchard demanded money and punched him in the face.

The man managed to escape and tried to take back the car keys but was threatened with the cannister, leaving him unable to prevent Pritchard from stealing the car.

It was later located abandoned in a ditch on the A229, Linton Hill. The cannister used in the assaults was found discarded, nearby.

Pritchard, 25, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire was arrested on 6 June after patrols stopped a van on the M20, where he claimed to be someone else and gave a false name. 

At Maidstone Crown Court, Pritchard pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating, aggravated vehicle taking, and possessing an offensive weapon.

He was sentenced on Wednesday 6 November, to six years and four months' imprisonment.

Upon his eventual release from prison, he will be subject to an extended licence period of an additional two years. He was also disqualified from driving for five years. 

Senseless and barbaric

Detective Constable Alice Henham said:

‘Pritchard was responsible for an utterly senseless and barbaric assault on two men who were simply minding their own business. 'His actions resulted in multiple serious injuries which included one of the victims suffering bleeds to the brain and who continues to endure significant health issues. ‘Our investigation provided irrefutable evidence of Pritchard’s involvement, leaving him no choice but to plead guilty. 'This included DNA from the scene of the assault, as well as from the car and the cannister, along with CCTV images and a photo from a social media account which showed him wearing identical clothing to the suspect.’