A thug with almost 50 offences to his name has been branded “a real threat to the public” as he was jailed for stabbing a nightclub owner in the stomach.

Anthony Ridge knifed Karl Ahmad outside Vivid in High Street, Herne Bay, after being asked to leave the venue for “a minor incident” on the dancefloor.

Judge James O'Mahony told a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday that the 44-year-old from Ashford has a "nasty temper" that is a "trigger of serious violence"

Footage of the incident shows Ridge lunging with the blade towards a bouncer, who fell as he avoided the blow, outside the premises.

The court heard Mr Ahmad was then struck by the assailant’s sister before being stabbed in the abdomen by Ridge.

The judge said: “There were a number of people outside in what was undoubtedly a disturbing and frightening incident.”

Off-duty police officers treated Mr Ahmad at the club before medics rushed him to hospital, where he stayed for six days following major surgery.

Evidence read during the hearing from a victim impact statement stated that the businessman “suffered significant emotional distress” and that the ordeal has led to a downturn in trade.

A progress report submitted to the court said Ridge is undergoing anger management for his temper, which is thought to have stemmed from his "miserable childhood".

On the advice of his solicitor, Philip Rowley, Ridge read out a letter, in which he claimed to be “remorseful”, to the judge prior to sentencing.

Despite noting that the offender “did so courteously”, Mr O’Mahony stressed he is “sure that the defendant is dangerous”.

He pointed to a pre-sentence report that concluded Ridge had “no remorse” and that he “represents a high risk of harm to the general public”.

"The defendant has a very nasty temper..."

Mr O’Mahony added: “The defendant went to the nightclub with the knife on him at the time. He was on a night out with his sister.

“The defendant has a real temper. That temper is a trigger of serious violence.”

The hearing also heard that Ridge has dozens of previous offences – including battery, affray and common assault – recorded against him.

Mr O’Mahony told how in September 2004 Ridge was involved in a robbery, where a group of men “armed with large knives” attacked staff from a Comet store after they had closed.

He added: “The defendant has 49 offences recorded against him from 1991 to 2018. Of these, there are a number of violent offences.

“In the matter of affray, the defendant got a parking ticket.

“He did not like that and punched the traffic officer, who was doing his job.

“Members of the public tried to intervene and the defendant threw missiles towards them.

“The defendant has a very nasty temper.”

Following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court in November, Ridge was found guilty of stabbing Mr Ahmad in the early hours of July 9, 2017.

He was due to be sentenced in January, but that was delayed in part by the defendant’s decision to change solicitors.

The attacker maintains that Mr Ahmad drew the blade and became injured when Ridge attempted to disarm him.

However, Mr O’Mahony labelled the claims “ridiculous”, before sentencing the serial offender - who appeared via video link from HMP Elmley - to 10 years in prison and three years of extended license.

He added: “The defendant presents a real danger to the public.”

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