Violent assault after pub crawl ends in jail sentence

A prison sentence has been imposed on a man from Herne Bay after he violently assaulted his friend.

On 8 November 2025, Oliver Hamilton‑Harris met a friend for an afternoon of drinking to celebrate his birthday the following day. The pair spent several hours visiting pubs across the town.

Attack

At around 6pm, they left a pub and returned to a residential address on Herne Bay High Street. An argument broke out between them, turning into a physical fight in the front garden. The fight escalated when Hamilton‑Harris went back inside the property, armed himself with a weapon, and returned to confront the victim.

The victim told officers he saw Hamilton‑Harris swinging at him with a clenched fist and realised he was holding something in his hand. He described being struck on his right side, then his back, and finally on the left side of his chest.

Disoriented, he left the address and made his way to another residential address close by. Emergency services were called, and officers and paramedics attended. He attended a local hospital for treatment to two stab wounds and has since been discharged.

Arrest

An investigation was launched, including reviews of CCTV, and Hamilton-Harris was located the following morning, on his 45^th birthday, and arrested. He was subsequently charged overnight with committing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Hamilton‑Harris was remanded in custody and appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court on 10 November 2025. He pleaded guilty to committing grievous bodily harm and was again remanded in custody until his sentencing.

On Thursday 19 March 2026 Hamilton‑Harris, formerly of Braid Drive, Herne Bay, was sentenced to two years and two months in prison at Canterbury Crown Court.

Detective Constable Amy Drury said:

‘This was a senseless and unprovoked attack that the victim was fortunate to survive. ‘I welcome the court’s decision to impose a prison sentence on this violent offender, and I hope it offers the victim some closure as he continues to recover emotionally and physically from this attack by a once close friend.’