Maidstone Crown Court, where the three were sentenced

by Keith Hunt

Three thugs who launched a “nasty and cowardly” attack on a man having a violent row with his girlfriend have walked free from court.

Bradley Marsh, Kieron Waters and James Mepstead kicked Kane Broadbent in the face and head, leaving him with a fractured jaw.

But a judge decided that the three, all from Sheerness, did not have to be locked up.

Marsh, of Nore Close, Waters, of Shrubsole Avenue, and Mepstead, of Chilham Close, were originally charged with unlawful wounding but their pleas to affray were accepted.

Marsh, 20, was given a 12-month community order with supervision, Waters, 23, was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for a year with supervision and 180 hours unpaid work, Mepstead, 25, was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for a year with 12 sessions of a “reducing reoffending” course.

"this ended up as a violent attack on one individual. it was nasty, it was cowardly" – recorder oscar del fabbro

Mr Broadbent and Charlotte Epps were rowing outside a house in Ranelagh Road, Sheerness, in the early hours of May 20 last year where a party was held.

Marsh, Waters and Mepstead came along and intervened, punching the victim in the face and knocking him to the ground.

“He was kicked all over,” prosecutor John Warrington told Maidstone Crown Court. “He suffered a number of injuries, including a fractured jaw.”

Mr Broadbent was treated at Maidstone Hospital and then at a facial unit at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

Recorder Oscar Del Fabbro told the three: “This ended up as a violent attack on one individual. It was nasty, it was cowardly. Anybody watching would have been in serious fear.

“I suspect none of us would like a fractured jaw inflicted on us. More serious, was being kicked around the head. You can think yourself lucky you are not facing more serious charges.

“You could have been going away for life if that person had died. Only a term of imprisonment is appropriate to mark the seriousness of the offence, but I am prepared to consider suspending it.”

The judge told Marsh: “You need to get into some gainful activity. You can’t spend your life fishing.”

But he added he was imposing a curfew from 9pm to 5am for two months “which gives you the chance to go fishing”.