A judge has criticised the police and prosecution lawyers after a series of blunders in the case of a man stabbed in Canterbury.

Victim Richard Steinbeck was attacked by a gang of youths in October 2010.

But the prosecution case against two men, who both denied being involved, collapsed because of a mix-up over identification.

The only conviction – nearly two-and-a-half years after the attack – was against an Ashford man who was charged with assault.

Now Judge Heather Norton (pictured right) has torn a strip off police and lawyers for what she described as "significant failures" by the Crown Prosecution Service.

After giving Dillon James, 20, of Jemmett Road, a 12-month community order for his part in the incident, she told the prosecuting lawyer: "I would like it to be noted on the file that there were, in the preparation of and conduct of this case, significant failures by the prosecution."

She said the case against one defendant failed "principally because of mistakes by the police to carry out correct identification procedures in more than one way."

The judge added: "There was no identification parade, which should have been held, because the prosecution sought to rely on Facebook photographs which should not have happened.

"Mr Steinbeck, who in my view gave clear and frank evidence, suffered quite appalling injuries. He was stabbed and he was stabbed badly.

"And yet this case was charged as an assault occasioning actual bodily harm. It should have been charged as a Section 18 wounding with intent and to be frank could have been charged as more than that.​

"i would like it to be noted on the file that there were, in the preparation of and conduct of this case, significant failures by the prosecution..." – judge heather norton

"But why it was charged as an abh is utterly beyond me."

James was the instigator of the assault when he punched his former lover Mr Steinbeck in the face, the court heard.

One of the witnesses said James "took a swing at Richard. From that point another person took it upon himself to kick and punch Mr Steinbeck taking him to the ground".

Mr Steinbeck said he had gone to the G Bar in King Street, Canterbury, and was attacked as he left with five or six friends.

He heard a glass smash near him and realised he was surrounded by a group of men.

"One of the men stood in front of me and was quite aggressive. I was then punched from the side which hit my head. I was then on the floor and received a number of punches and kicks."

Judge Heather Norton criticised the investigation at Canterbury Crown Court

As he was led away he heard racist remarks aimed at him and later realised that had been stabbed.

James's lawyer Daniel Jerome told the court: "He has had this hanging over him for an outrageous length of time for someone so young. That's punishment in itself.

"There was some background between the victim and the defendant and it was perhaps James's resentment at his treatment in that relationship which led to the flashpoint on the night of this offence.

"Feelings of resentment came to a head that night."

Judge Norton said the victim's injuries could have been catastrophic and ordered James, who admitted the offence, to spend the next month under partial house arrest – forbidden to leave his home between 8 pm and 6 am.

He was also ordered to undergo treatment for his drugs problem.