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Drink and drug-crazed thug James Ryan scars victim Jonathan Yarwood for life in Tunbridge Wells

James Ryan was jailed for seven years
James Ryan was jailed for seven years

A drink and drug-crazed thug who left a man scarred for life in a knife attack has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

James Ryan was handed an extended sentence for public protection after a judge heard it was his fourth conviction for wounding offences.

The 40-year-old father will not be considered for release until he has served two thirds of the sentence and he will be on licence for a further two-and-a-half years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard victim Jonathan Yarwood was at a flat in Brokes Way, Tunbridge Wells, on June 25 this year with friends playing Trivial Pursuit and watching television when Ryan arrived with Nathan Watson.

Prosecutor Rhiannon Sadler said some of the men knew each other from being in a hostel together in the town.

Ryan had a 9in long hunting knife in his hand and was screaming and shouting but not making much sense. “I swear on my life I am going to stab you,” he threatened.

He went towards Mr Yarwood and put the blade against his left ear, causing a slight cut.

He made more general threats before returning to Mr Yarwood and putting the knife against the side of his face.

“He pushed it hard against him,” said Miss Sadler. “He drew the knife down the side of his face slowly and deliberately. He felt the blade cutting and very sharp pain.”

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

The victim was left with a 15cm cut to his face which needed 26 stitches. He was later given plastic surgery at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

“This was a very grave injury. The victim is going to be scarred for life. His face has been deformed" - Judge Philip Statman

He told police: “The assault was totally unprovoked. We had no issues. It seemed to arise out of a money issue with Nathan. He just seemed to be in a frenzy.”

Ryan, of no fixed address, asked officers: “What do you think I will get for my second Gbh?” But Judge Philip Statman said he had miscalculated.

Ryan, who pleaded guilty, was jailed in 1996 for wounding and actual bodily harm, in 1998 for aggravated burglary and wounding and in 2004 he was given an extended sentence for wounding.

Judge Statman said: “This was a very grave injury. The victim is going to be scarred for life. His face has been deformed. It is an extremely ugly state of affairs.”


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