A reformed criminal who attacked a man with a catapult was jailed - despite a “powerful” defence from a Kent Police inspector.

The officer, whose daughter is engaged to Jessie Hilden, told Maidstone Crown Court the 22-year-old has turned his back on his former life and is now doing valuable work within his local community and church group.

Insp Mark Hayton described Hilden as an honest, forthright man who “regrets enormously” his past.

He added that Hilden, who lives at the Hayton family home in Larkfield, had also been the “catalyst” and instrumental in helping to set up and run a youth group in the area.

But Judge Jeremy Carey said that while Hilden had made a remarkable change to his life since the attack on Matthew Mills, he had to bear in mind the impact on his victim.

Mr Mills, 26, was twice fired at with a stone or ball-bearing launched from a catapult in Chapman Way, East Malling, in October last year.

The second shot struck him in the head and Mr Mills fell heavily to the ground, dislocating his shoulder.

Mr Mills was unable to work for several months and, having been earning over £1,000 a month, he was reduced to living on benefits.

The court heard he even struggled to pay the heating bill at the family home he shared with his then pregnant girlfriend.

Passing sentence Judge Carey said: “Offences like this can have far-reaching consequences and for that reason I have to do what is necessary to reflect the seriousness of your offending.

“There may be good reasons for reducing the length of sentence, and in this case there are, but a sentence of immediate custody it has to be.”

Hilden admitted unlawful wounding and two unrelated offences of theft of a mobile phone in December last year and of a watch in February.

He was sentenced to 13 months for wounding and one month consecutive for the theft charges.