A teenager has been cleared of attempted murder after a man was brutally beaten with metal bars as he walked along a road at night.

Joe Ashby-Gibbs was due for immediate release from custody following a jury’s not guilty verdicts to a total of six charges.

The 18-year-old, of Millcroft Road, Cliffe, had also been accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, kidnapping, affray and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

The jury of six men and six women acquitted him of all charges after deliberating for almost five hours.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Steven Childs was walking along Buckland Road in Cliffe with a brother and friend at about 10.30pm on October 28 last year.

Prosecutor Vivian Walters said they had been to the recreation ground and were going to a caravan at Oakley Farm.

Miss Walters said Mr Childs, 28, had been drinking and taken ecstasy. He was autistic and drugs made him feel more focussed. He was happy and confident that night.

"He could feel blood running down his face. He could hear a crunching sound as his skull was struck and he thought he was going to die" - Prosecutor Vivian Walters

There had been a dispute with Mr Ashby-Gibbs but everything had gone quiet. The teenager claimed Mr Childs had stolen £200 from him. Mr Childs claimed the dispute was over drugs.

“Steven Childs’ truthfulness is crucial in this case,” said Miss Walters.

As he walked along the road, a Vauxhall Astra car pulled up and four men got out wielding metal poles.

“He had good reason to suspect what was coming and he tried to run,” said Miss Walters.

She alleged that Mr Ashby-Gibbs came along in his Peugeot car and ran down Mr Childs, who was thrown over the bonnet.

He got up and tried to run but there was something badly wrong with his left leg.

Miss Walters further alleged that Mr Ashby-Gibbs and another man got out of the car with metal bars.

Mr Childs was struck him on the back of his injured leg and repeatedly on the head.

“He could feel blood running down his face,” said Miss Walters. “He could hear a crunching sound as his skull was struck and he thought he was going to die.”

Lucas Belmonte, 22, of College Road, Historic Dockyard, Chatham, is facing sentence after admitting sending a threatening communication.

He had faced charges of blackmailing Darrell Childs on October 19, demanding £1,000, and conspiracy to supply cannabis, but they were dropped.

He was granted bail, conditional on residence, a tagged curfew and reporting to police three times a week.