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Thug Ashley Chandler jailed for shattering cheekbone of assault victim Luke Kirk

A thug fractured another man’s cheekbone after he was sprayed in the eyes with deodorant – and then boasted it was “a good craic”, a court heard.

Victim Luke Kirk later told police the punch by Ashley Chandler felt like being hit by a bus.

He was first assaulted by David Tuszynski after he left an Indian restaurant in London Road, Stone, late on the evening of September 26, 2014.

Kirk sprayed his victim's eyes with deodorant. Stock image.
Kirk sprayed his victim's eyes with deodorant. Stock image.

Chandler’s friend, Tuszynski, who was dating Mr Kirk’s ex-girlfriend, Ellie Woods, grabbed an aerosol and sprayed him in the eyes.

Prosecutor Kieran Brand said Mr Kirk felt a burning sensation and tried to flee but was chased by Tuszynski and sprayed again.

As Mr Kirk ran back to the car of his girlfriend, Eve Waterman, he was struck by Tuszynski’s friend, Chandler.

“Some things have to happen for people to learn and, yeah, I enjoyed it. It was a good crack, ha ha.” - Chandler

“He punched him in the face with substantial force, and he later described feeling as though he had been hit by a bus,” Mr Brand told Maidstone Crown Court.

Tuszynski, who works for courier firm UPS, and Chandler, both 21, were arrested after Miss Waterman identified them on Facebook.

Police found a text message from Miss Woods to Chandler the morning after the attack in which she thanked him.

But she but added: “You didn’t have to go so violently about it, but it’s done and he has probably learnt a lesson.”

Chandler replied: “Some things have to happen for people to learn and, yeah, I enjoyed it. It was a good craic, ha ha.”

Mr Brand said Mr Kirk’s cheekbone was fractured “in pieces” and needed three titanium plates and 13 screws to hold it in place.

Chandler, a floor screeder, of Coldharbour Road in Northfleet, was jailed for eight months after admitting inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court
The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court

Tuszynski, 21, of Shenley Road, Dartford, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm with the aerosol, and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment suspended for two years.

He will be on a tagged curfew between 8pm and 7am for three months.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens said it was clear Chandler was wholly unaware of the injury he caused with one punch.

But he added: “One cannot avoid reflecting that this serious injury has changed this individual’s life.”

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