More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A mother told of her horror after “thinking her son was dead” while lying in a pool of blood after his head was reportedly stamped on.
Mum Denise Kitchen claimed she was “hysterical” to find son Justin Eastwood lying motionless, with a footprint mark indented on his face.
“I thought he was dead, he was covered in blood, I was screaming and calling his name, I was hysterical,” she told Canterbury Crown Court.
The jury heard Gregory Davies, 36, flung ammonia in Mr Eastwood’s face and lashed out with punches and kicks before knocking him unconscious.
Mr Eastwood suffered a bleed to the brain and fractured facial bones during the alleged assault, Judge Catherine Brown heard.
However Mr Davies maintained he was acting in self defence where he punched Mr Eastwood on the floor after he fell.
But Mr Eastwood fiercely contested Mr Rowley’s statement, claiming Davies “kicked the granny out of him".
Defending, Phil Rowley told Mr Eastwood: “I’m suggesting you were the first person to use the ammonia.
“I did open the door - then I got the granny kicked out of me...” - Justin Eastwood
“Then you punched him to the head and face - I’m suggesting he didn’t kick you but punched you on the floor.”
Speaking via video link Mr Eastwood emphatically denied being the aggressor, adding: “I can’t remember exactly what happened at the end (of the attack) – I was unconscious.
“I did open the door - then I got the granny kicked out of me.”
The alleged attack happened in Rowland Drive in Greenhill, Herne Bay, on July 24 last year at 10.40pm, reportedly as part of a feud between the two men.
Davies pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer and possessing an offensive weapon at a previous hearing.
But he denies the more serious charge of causing wounding with intent, which can carry a life sentence.
Prosecutor Stephen Shay told the jury: “Mr Eastwood was attacked by Davis who threw some kind of liquid over his eyes.
“There was a struggle over the bottle, the liquid ended up going over both men, Davis then resumed his attack punching Mr Eastwood repeatedly in the face.
“He lost consciousness and woke up, Mr Davies stamped on his head, when he regained consciousness Davies was gone.”
Davies, of Thornden Wood Road in Greenhill, was seen tossing an axe before officers arrested him nearby.
He went on to assault the constables inside their patrol car, the court heard.
The axe was not used during the attacks or alleged assault, it is understood.
