A 19-year-old man has appeared in court after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and assault following a stabbing at a hostel for ex-offenders.

Luke Punt was taken into custody on Monday afternoon in connection with an attack in Well Road, Maidstone, at the junction with Boxley Road and James Street.

A 56-year-old man, named by friends as Tony, is understood to have fallen from a bedroom window at a shared house for former prisoners.

Witnesses said he had been stabbed in the back.

A second man, in his 60s, who is not thought to be a tenant at the address, had been hit in the face.

Punt, 19, was charged with actual bodily harm but detectives have granted him bail until Tuesday, October 21, while they investigate the accusation of attempted murder.

He appeared before Medway Magistrates, via video link, today on the lesser charge.

The attack happened in Well Road, at the junction with Boxley Road, in Maidstone, at 5.30pm yesterday.

Police were called after reports the man in his 60s had been hit in the face near the former Royal George pub.

The building - a stone's throw from Maidstone Prison - was last year converted from a pub into a resettlement hostel for ex-offenders.

But shortly after patrols arrived, witnesses said a second man lay injured close by.

Emergency services treated the second man, 56, for stab wounds.

Two ambulances and the air ambulance car were called and the stab victim was taken to King's College hospital in London with cuts to his back, head and neck.

His condition was described as serious but stable.

The other man was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Officers cordoned off the area around the building while they investigated the attack.

A police spokesman said today: "We have been reviewing CCTV footage in the area, we have been taking statements and also examining the area and enquiries continue today.

"The hostel forms part of our investigation and we have been reviewing CCTV from the premises as part of our enquiries."

Dr Albert Barnes, founder and chief executive of UK Resettlement, said: "This is an unfortunate incident which the whole house is coming to terms with as a united family. Our prayers are with Tony and we hope he recovers soon.

"We do not want this isolated incident to tarnish the rest of the house, or for it to damage the progress and hard work shown by the other men who want to improve their lives.

"These men are human beings and should not be put into a stereotype because of something which was out of their control.

"They have acted responsibly and I am proud of the way they have come together after such a sad event."

Dr Barnes said this is the first time an incident like this has happened in the organisation's three-year history.

Carl Garwood, who is one of the 13 tenants in the shared house, called 999 after being alerted to the incident and put his housemate in the recovery position.

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