A man was left with a broken cheekbone, nose, and two eye sockets, after being hit with a pool cue at a Rochester pub called the Who'd Ha Thought it.

John Jerwood was beaten and kicked by three men leaving him needing hospital treatment during the attack on New Year's Day last year.

On trial are Lindsay Currie, 66, of Kingsmead Caravan Park, Allhallows; his son Shaun Currie, 34, and his brother-in-law Paul Murtagh, 41, both of Silverweed Road, Chatham, who all denied charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent in a revenge attack.

Prosecutor Janet Weekes told a jury at Maidstone Crown Court the incident followed an argument between Shaun and Mr Jerwood - who had both attended a 50th birthday party at the Lordswood Leisure Centre in Chatham, the previous evening.

She said Mr Jerwood is alleged to have scared Sean's seven-year-old son by saying: "Grrr" because he felt the child was being annoying.

That led to words between the two men and Mr Jerwood left early to avoid upsetting other partygoers.

Ms Weekes added there had been no formal allegation against Mr Jerwood - but Sean claimed the child had been hit.

The next day Mr Jerwood was drinking in the Who'd Ha Thought It in Baker Street - a pub without a pool table - when the three men walked in on New Year's Day.

Sean shouted: "Outside you little *****", but as Mr Jerwood moved towards the men he was struck with a pool cue which broke.

The prosecutor claimed Sean Currie was heard to say: "This is for my boy" as Mr Jerwood fell unconscious to the floor.

The three are then alleged to have kicked him as he lay on the ground before walking away.

Ms Weekes said Mr Jerwood was taken to the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and then onto the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for treatment for a fractured cheekbone and two eye sockets.

The trial continues.

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