Eighteen Months' Prison For "Unprovoked" Street Attack In Hastings

A man from Bognor has been jailed for attacking another man with a bottle in Hastings town centre.

According to Sussex Police, Sammy Stockford, 34, a labourer, of Canada Grove, Bognor Regis, had denied accusations of wounding, or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, but was nevertheless found guilty after a trial in May.

Later, he was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for the unprovoked assault.

Stockford had been visiting a friend in Hastings on September 28, 2020 when the pair decided to go out drinking in the town centre.

The victim was also in town with a woman who knew Stockford's friend, and the group ended up talking with each other.

Later in the evening, the victim overheard a conversation involving Stockford and challenged him as he found the content offensive.

After a brief argument, the victim left the bar and headed down Middle Street.

However, Stockford followed him and without warning, hit him in the face with a bottle.

The victim suffered a deep cut above his eyebrow, requiring hospital treatment.

Police were called and arrested Stockford after he was identified by the victim's friend.

He had turned his t-shirt inside-out in a suspected attempt to hide bloodstains which, nevertheless, were found on his clothing.

When officers went to Middle Street, they recovered a broken glass bottle, which matched the brand of alcohol Stockford had been drinking that evening.

In interview, Stockford said he had punched the victim in self-defence and denied a bottle had been used.

Despite his denials, he was convicted on May 21 by a majority jury of 10 to two.

As well as an 18-month sentence passed on August 25, Stockford was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £156.