Two hardened criminals have been locked up for a combined total of 48 years after a savage axe attack on the A2 near Canterbury.
Violent Assault on Busy A2 Road
Kent Police rushed to reports of a vicious assault near the Wincheap junction on 14 December 2024. Officers found two men in their 20s and 30s with serious head injuries — one viciously struck with an axe. A third victim escaped without injury and helped paramedics at the scene.
Premeditated Attack Between Two Cars
The investigation revealed the suspects, travelling in a silver Mercedes, forced the victims – occupants of a white Seat – to stop in the live carriageway before launching the brutal attack. All the men involved knew each other, police confirmed. The attackers fled immediately after.
Suspects Caught After International Flight and Hospital Visit
- Dawood Khan, 28, fled to Afghanistan the day after but returned to the UK and was arrested in London.
- Esmatullah Paktiawal, 36, turned up at Folkestone’s Napier Barracks hours after the assault with head, back, and hand injuries. He later claimed the injuries were from a fence fall, but was hospitalised and arrested in Manchester.
Lengthy Trial Ends with Harsh Sentences
Both men denied attempted murder and grievous bodily harm charges. After a six-week trial at Canterbury Crown Court, the jury found them guilty on 21 November. On 26 November, each was sentenced to 24 years behind bars.
Detective Inspector Colin McKeen said: ‘This was a brutal and premeditated attack that nearly took one man’s life. The sentences handed down reflect the severity of the violence used and the wider criminal activity that was being conducted by these individuals. Kent Police works tirelessly to ensure that violent offenders such as Khan and Paktiawal are held accountable and are unable to escape justice. I welcome the sentence passed by the court and hope it can provide a sense of closure to the victims.’
