A thug was jailed for a year after he punched a ri
A thug was jailed for a year after he punched a rival in a ‘senseless feud’ which left the victim with a a broken arm and nose.
Jonathan Woodcock, 22, and Ian Lawson, 21, were members of groups of youths who had been battling in Maidstone for years.
The Old Bailey heard Woodcock had recently been attacked with a Stanley knife.
But the incident on December 15 last year started when he held out a hand of friendship to the rival gang.
Prosecutor Andrew Espley said: ‘The victim, Ian Lawson and his friend Gary Ashby were in Lower Stones Street, Maidstone.
‘They were confronted by the defendant and two others.
‘There was some history between the two groups.
‘The defendant stuck his hand out as a truce but Mr Lawson stepped in to separate the defendant from his friend.
‘The defendant then struck Mr Lawson.
The blow broke his nose and sent him sprawling to the ground, breaking his arm on impact.
Woodcock, 22, of (57) Northleigh Close, Maidstone, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Andrew Forsyth, defending said: ‘Mr Woodcock pleaded guilty at the first opportunity that he had used one punch.
‘The victim said he had been punched in the left side of the mouth, punched in the back of the head and kicked in the face while on the ground.
‘The defendant very much regrets his involvement in this incident.
‘The defendant was recently attacked with a Stanley knife.
‘That said, it is not in any way acceptable what happened that day.
‘Mr Woodcock offered his hand in friendship but he admits when the other group grabbed his hand he threw a ‘half punch’.
‘Drink was a factor but it can never be an excuse, he knows that.
‘He is not one of those people who goes out every Friday night looking for trouble.
‘
Judge Stephen Robbins said: ‘There are far too many of these senseless feuds and vendettas between young men who after drinking resort to violence.
‘The message must go out that they should receive an immediate custodial sentence.
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ends
