A thug who fractured a friend’s spine in an unprovoked attack has escaped a jail sentence after a judge said he was prepared to give him another chance.

Timothy Stott had been staying at the Barming home of his victim Kevin Bothwell, having parted from his wife.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Stott, 32, started seeing a neighbour. Mr Bothwell told his girlfriend and she told Stott’s wife.

They were in Mr Bothwell’s home in Edmunds Close in June last year when Stott suddenly launched the attack, repeatedly punching and kicking him.

The father-of-four told the victim he had ruined his marriage and prevented him from seeing his children.

Mr Bothwell collapsed, but managed to call for an ambulance. He was crying out in pain as he was taken to Maidstone Hospital.

X-Rays revealed he had two fractures to his lumbar spine. He was discharged with painkillers and given an appointment at the fracture clinic.

The next day Stott returned to Mr Bothwell’s home and demanded his wallet, mobile phone and passport he left behind.

The victim refused to open the door and Stott kicked it in. He put Mr Bothwell in a headlock as he tried to call the police.
Mr Bothwell kept repeating that the police had taken the items. Stott picked up some car keys and said they were going for a drive.

He fled when he heard someone shout the police were coming.
Stott, a lorry driver, of Nursery Road, Ditton, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and common assault.

He was sentenced to 28 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay Mr Bothwell £250 compensation.

Mr Bothwell said in a statement that he had been forced to go into hiding because of the attack. “It has left me feeling dazed and nervous,” he added.
Judge David Griffith-Jones QC told Stott his victim had given him a place to live and was attacked for no good or sensible reason.

“You caused him significant injuries,” he said. “You are very fortunate they were not more serious. You have escaped immediate imprisonment by the skin of your teeth.”

John Fitzgerald, defending, said Stott, now back with his wife, had been in a terrible emotional state at the time and had reverted to his old ways, taking drugs.
“Sadly, he lost his temper,” he said. “He agrees it was totally unacceptable. He wants to put this sorry episode behind him.”