A knifeman who carried out a ferocious attack in Maidstone has received an 11-year extended jail sentence.

The stabbing happened outside the troubled Century Club in Lower Stone Street.

Paul Ojo, 23, has been given an immediate nine-year prison sentence for wounding rival Richard Lakeman with a knife which broke during the savage attack.

The judge told him he will have to serve another two years on licence when he is released after serving at least six years for the wounding.

After sentence was passed, a man in the public gallery – who had earlier argued with a police officer – shouted: “You b******s!” before storming out.

Ojo’s pal, 23-year-old Quinton Nelson, who also took part in the attack, received a four-year jail term.

Both had been convicted by a jury after a trial at Maidstone Crown Court earlier this year.

Two groups clashed after a night of drinking in the town on July 3 last year.

Prosecutor Eleanor Scott-Davies told how brothers Richard and William Lakeman had attended the same club as Ojo and his group – although they were not known to each other.

But outside the club, William Lakeman and Nelson had a verbal exchange and parted. But Ojo took William aside and prevented him from leaving by grabbing his jumper.

Ojo then produced a knife and pushed the victim against a shop front with Nelson stopping him from escaping but the brothers went to Miller Heights in Lower Stone Street and armed themselves with metal poles.

A third man, Kenneth Roberts, then joined Ojo and Nelson and confronted the brothers, who began to back away.

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Judge Robert Lazarus said: “Ojo and Mr Lakeman then began duelling – effectively swiping at each other. Richard then tries to run away as Ojo follows continually swiping at him with the knife - and some of them make contact.”

The court heard how after suffering a number of serious wounds to his stomach, the 18-year-old victim was later air-lifted to a London Hospital and underwent major surgery.

Ojo, of Barnfield Road, Orpington, later claimed he was sorry – but the judge dismissed the apology as “too little, too late”.

He and Nelson of Albany Road, Camberwell, were convicted by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a knife.

Robert Lakeman, 23, of Anerley Vale, Crystal Palace, had admitted a knife offence and received a 31-week jail sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

Century Club was slapped with licencing conditions after the stabbing, Covid-19 lockdown breaches and other incidents, including one which saw police Taser revellers.