@itvnews A man from Maidstone has been jailed for stabbing his neighbour more than 50 times. Haiden Tomlin and his victim both lived on the same floor, and had an argument which escalated into a fight inside another flat. The victim suffered a punctured lung, a broken rib and 51 separate stab wounds #itvnews ♬ original sound – itvnews
A man from Maidstone has been jailed for stabbing his neighbour more than 50 times.
Haiden Tomlin and his victim both lived on the same floor at the Fairmeadow building, in the town centre.
The pair had an argument, which escalated into a fight inside another flat.
Police were called just before 3 am on Sunday 1 September. When officers attended, Tomlin had fled the scene.
The victim suffered a punctured lung, a broken rib and 51 separate stab wounds.
Reports made to police said a man left the building covered in blood.
The 19-year-old was charged with attempted murder and pleaded not guilty, arguing he had acted in self-defence.
He was convicted of an alternative charge of wounding with intent and was sentenced to five years and nine months’ imprisonment on Thursday 26 June.
Detective Constable Nell Shortis, from Kent Police, said: “Tomlin argued his actions were in response to also being assaulted, however the sheer number of injuries he inflicted demonstrate a brutal and ferocious attack and one which the victim was fortunate to survive.
“There can never be an excuse to carry weapons and any assault with a knife has the potential to end in tragedy.
“If you decide to carry a blade or associate with individuals that do, you put yourself at risk of being seriously injured or worse.”
