Thanet man who attacked victim after a night out is jailed for six years

A Thanet man who carried out a bloodied assault and left his victim with serious injuries has been jailed for six years.

In the early hours of Friday 18 August, Kent Police received a call reporting a disturbance at a property in Athelstan Road in Cliftonville, Margate.

When officers knocked on the door, 40-year-old Thanet man Stuart Rigden answered and told police “It’s all fine”.

However Rigden had blood stains on his clothes, and officers then saw blood on the living room floor. In another room, a man aged in his 30s was found unconscious and seriously injured.

The victim was rushed to a London hospital, having suffered broken ribs, internal bleeding and facial injuries.

An investigation by Kent Police revealed that the victim was known to Rigden and they had been on a night out in Ramsgate the evening before the assault.

During the night, they were seen having an argument at a bar, causing the victim to walk off, leaving Rigden alone.

Two hours later Rigden got a taxi back to the property where he carried out the assault on the victim.

At Canterbury Crown Court on Friday 4 May, Rigden, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170.

He was also given a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim for five years.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Kerry Whiting said: ‘The victim was subjected to a brutal attack and left unconscious by Rigden, who tried to suggest everything was fine when police came round.

‘The injuries sustained by the victim were serious and if left unattended, there could have been much more tragic consequences.

‘I hope this court result brings reassurance to the victim, I thank him for supporting the investigation and case, and I wish him all the best for the future.’