HERNE BAY, UK – Two individuals have been imprisoned following a violent assault that took place in Herne Bay, resulting in serious injuries to the victims. The incident occurred on the High Street in the early hours of Sunday, March 3, 2024, when a man and a woman were attacked by unknown assailants.
The male victim sustained severe injuries, including swelling to the brain, a fractured skull, and a broken nose, while the female victim suffered facial wounds. The victims had left a location on the High Street after a disturbance prior to the assault. Shortly thereafter, they were attacked by individuals from a white van that pulled up on the street.
Emergency medical services treated both victims at the scene before transporting them to a local hospital for further care. Fortunately, they were later discharged to recover at home. Patrick Holmes and John Hazelgrove, both aged 29, were identified as the perpetrators by East Kent CID detectives and subsequently apprehended for their involvement in the attack.
Following their arrest, Holmes of Clarendon Street, Herne Bay, and Hazelgrove of no fixed address, admitted to charges of intent to cause severe bodily harm and actual bodily harm. The perpetrators were sentenced to four years in prison each at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday, June 25.
Detective Constable Georgie Taker expressed satisfaction at the swift apprehension and sentencing of Holmes and Hazelgrove, characterizing them as violent offenders whose actions had a profound impact on their victims. Taker reiterated the commitment of law enforcement to ensuring the safety of Kent’s streets and holding perpetrators of violence accountable.