by Keith Hunt

When two warring teenagers met in an alleyway one of them ended up with a broken jaw, a court heard.

Tom Smith, 17, claimed he did nothing to provoke Sam Harrison into punching him. Mr Harrison, 19, said he was acting in self-defence.

A jury believed him and he was acquitted of assault causing actual bodily harm. Mr Harrison, of Gildenhill Road, Swanley, denied the charge.

Mr Smith was on his way to the David Lloyd gym in Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, on June 14 last year when he saw Mr Harrison and two girls walking towards him.

Henry Gordon, prosecuting, told Maidstone Crown Court the pair had not seen eye-to-eye in the past. Mr Smith said the animosity was over comments Mr Harrison made about his girlfriend.

Mr Smith said they gave each other “an evil glare” and he heard the other youth say: “Prick.” He replied: “Come on then.”

Mr Smith continued: “We passed each other. I stood still and faced him. He walked towards me, dropped his bags and took a swing at me.

“I was punched to the right side of my face. I was unconscious. I don’t remember anything from there.”

He said he did remember Mr Harrison’s sister Molly say: “That’s enough, Sam.”

Mr Smith said he got up and walked towards the gym. Two women at a sandwich bar told him he needed to sit down. His face was sore and swollen.
He was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured jaw.