Violent offender jailed following serious assault in Maidstone

A violent offender has been jailed after assaulting a man with a pint glass outside a pub in Maidstone as he celebrated his birthday.

James Anderson, 46, of Grainger Walk in Tonbridge, headbutted and punched his victim to the floor before hitting him with glassware and stamping on him five times, causing a serious head injury.

Kent Police was called to the assault at Market House in Earl Street at 12.22am on 4 August 2024.

The victim, aged 50, had approached a group of men Anderson was standing with, and engaged in conversation with them.

Almost immediately after approaching them, the man was violently assaulted by Anderson who left him lying unconscious on the pavement.

Anderson fled the scene in a bid to evade capture but was arrested the same day. He was charged just 24 hours later with wounding with intent and remanded into custody.

Sentenced

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on 25 September and remained in custody until he was sentenced at the same court on Thursday 16 January 2025.

He received an extended sentence with a total of four and a half years' imprisonment. On his release he is required to complete an additional three years on licence.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Ashleigh Fell, said:

‘Anderson launched a violent and unprovoked attack on the victim, which rendered him unconscious and left him with serious injuries on what should have been a happy occasion. ‘He is a vicious offender, who demonstrated little remorse when he made no attempt to seek medical help for the victim following the attack. ‘I am pleased the judge chose to impose a lengthy custodial sentence to reflect the severity and impact of the assault. It also offers our community reassurance that people like Anderson will be unable to inflict harm on others for the foreseeable future.’