Brutal Knife, Bat and Chain Attack Lands Trio Behind Bars
Three thugs brutally attacked a man with a kitchen knife, wooden bat and bike chain in broad daylight in August 2020. Now Matthew Sales, Thomas Pearson and Jed Coates have been slammed with hefty prison sentences at Canterbury Crown Court.
Sentences for Savage Assault
- Matthew Sales, 21, jailed for eight years
- Thomas Pearson, 35, caged for six and a half years
- Jed Coates, 21, sentenced to five years behind bars
Pearson and Coates, both from Folkestone, had already admitted wounding with intent and possession of offensive weapons. Sales, who has no fixed address, admitted the same crimes plus an earlier charge of attempted grievous bodily harm against the same victim.
Daylight Attack Shocks Witnesses
The victim was leaving a shop on Cheriton Road around 11:50am on 25 August 2020 when Pearson launched a brutal punch to his face. Coates then smashed him with a wooden bat while Sales stabbed his leg with a kitchen knife. Pearson finished the savage assault by beating him with a bike chain. The terrifying attack happened in front of multiple onlookers, including a young girl.
The victim, known to his attackers, was rushed to hospital with serious stab wounds requiring lengthy treatment.
Police Close In
Sales and Coates were arrested later the same day at a nearby property. Pearson handed himself in on 1 September. In the investigation, police uncovered that Sales had also punched the victim and stabbed him with a screwdriver two days earlier.
Detective Constable Natasha Russell said: “This was a sustained, pre-planned, and brutal assault. It’s sheer luck the injuries were not far worse. The attack would have horrified any witness, and I thank those who helped bring these men to justice. The strong evidence meant no trial was needed, and I hope these sentences give the victim some closure.”
