Three thugs who hunted down a man like “an animal” before launching a vicious attack have all been jailed.

A judge told them that their victim had been pursued “through the streets of Herne Bay by a marauding mob” and, as he cowered in a garden, was then punched and kicked.

Two of the thugs, Russell Marchant and Daniel Turner, were convicted of unlawfully wounding Stephen King in the incident in Douglas Road, Herne Bay in August 2014.

Both were jailed for two-and-a-half years.

The jury at Canterbury Crown Court also found Ercan Kosar guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm and he was jailed for six months.

Recorder James Mulholland QC told them: “This was an appalling incident of violence. Mr King was pursued from garden to garden to garden like an animal.”

The jury heard how Mr King went home after the attack and was later taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries.

Turner, 30, of Town Court; Marchant, 31, of Sea View Road and Kosar, 25, of Downs Park, all Herne Bay, had denied the offences, and were acquitted by the jury of the more serious charge of wounding with intent.

The court heard how there had been friction between Mr King’s family and the family of Marchant.

And as Mr King was walking past the Druids Head pub in the High Street he was summoned by a group of people.

Prosecutor Simon Sandford told how Mr King became fearful and attempted to headbutt one of the men before running away along Canterbury Road.

He then hid in nearby gardens after being pursued by a group of people, including Marchant, Turner and Kosar.

When he thought the group had gone he made his way home but was spotted by the group and caught in Douglas Road.