Canterbury Crown Court, where the case is being heard

by Mary Louis

A man was left fighting for his life after a birthday night out collecting scrap metal, a court heard.

For, instead of helping out a pal on the night of his 33rd birthday, Wayne Sart ended up with a fractured skull and bleed on the brain.

This was so serious it needed treatment by specialists at the neurosurgical unit at London’s King’s College Hospital. He also suffered a broken leg.

Now Frank Hedgecock, 34, of Cornwallis Avenue, Aylesham, Dave Miller, 46, of Canterbury Road, Folkestone, and his brother Jim Miller, 51, of Farthingloe Cottages, Folkestone Road, Dover, are all facing a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after the incident at the Poulton Industrial Estate in Dover.

Jim Miller has also denied possessing an offensive weapon - an iron bar - at the Poulton Industrial Estate, Dover.

Paul Valder, prosecuting, told Canterbury Crown Court that Mr Sart had been in a relationship with James Miller’s daughter and was a frequent visitor to their home.

Jim Miller’s partner had noticed gold jewellery had gone missing from her bedroom and the suspicion was that Mr Sart, who has 93 previous convictions for which he has made 50 court appearances, was involved.

Mr Valder said Jim Miller had decided to take matters into his own hands and began to actively look for Mr Sart.

At 9pm on November 18 last year, Hedgecock had telephoned his friend Mr Sart, asking to meet up to collect scrap metal from the industrial estate. Hedgecock duly picked up his friend and drove him there.

“Frank Hedgecock knew he was driving Wayne Sart into a trap and knew the Miller brothers were lying in wait,” said Mr Valder.

The case continues.