The sister of a stabbing victim is appealing for help to move her brother closer to his family after he was hospitalised by a vicious stabbing.

Hoo resident Tony Parr, 34, was stabbed once in the chest and once above the hip in Chatham High Street near the Tulip Fruit and Veg and Meat Centre opposite the White Lion pub.

The attack in June left him needing open-heart surgery and he was in a coma for six days. He spent two-and-a-half weeks in hospital.

His sister Stacey Parr has set up a fundraising page to raise £300 to cover moving costs and the first few weeks’ rent on a new home so her brother can be closer to his family, as he now needs help with daily chores.

He also now suffers from memory loss and cannot continue working as a labourer due to his injuries.

His life changed on a night out with friends, when a man approached him asking for money.

He refused but the man persisted and Mr Parr pushed him away.

The attacker then took out a blue-handled screwdriver and stabbed Mr Parr twice.

His sister Stacey Parr, who lives in Chatham, said: “People from the pub came rushing out to help.

"They splashed water on his face and kept him awake until emergency services arrived.

“He had open heart surgery, was in a coma for six days and in hospital for two-and-a-half weeks.

“It’s so fortunate he’s alive.”

A man was arrested in connection with the stabbing but released without charge.

Police visited Miss Parr, a 36-year-old hairdresser, at her home to take a statement while her brother was in hospital.

After they left, she noticed documents with notes about the crime had been left on her living room table.

The mother said: “I’ve seen all the evidence and I can’t believe the man who stabbed my brother is not going to be taken to court.

“It’s disgusting.”

Police said the decision not to charge was not theirs, and their work to solve the crime continued.

DCI Tristan Kluibenschadl, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Detectives investigated the incident and arrested a man in connection with an assault that took place in Chatham High Street at 5.57pm on Thursday, June 28.

"Officers presented their findings, including CCTV footage, to the Crown Prosecution Service who were unable to authorise a charge.

"The decision to charge lies with the CPS not Kent Police.

“The matter remains under investigation.

“While police were conducting their inquiries a document was left at a property for a short period of time.

“Kent Police takes its data protection responsibilities seriously. The matter has been referred to the Information Commissioner and is also being investigated by Kent Police’s professional standards department.”

Officers are also investigating a report of malicious communication after it was reported a threat had been made via social media.

To donate visit gofundme.com/stab-victim-help-with-support