Violent Brawl on Canterbury High Street Ends With Jail for Belt-Wielding Attacker
Charlie Golding sparked chaos after a nasty scrap with a rival gang inside a department store on St George’s Street, Canterbury, on Wednesday 1 September 2021.
Chase Through City Centre Ends in Attack
After the row broke out, both groups stormed out of the shop. Golding led his crew in pursuit down High Street towards Westgate Towers. CCTV footage caught him swinging a belt, smashing a rival across the face.
Others in the chase were gripping chairs and bottles, but Golding was the only one filmed landing a blow.
Jail Time for Reoffending Violent Criminal
Police arrested Golding the next day. At Canterbury Crown Court on 3 February 2022, the ex-Kemsing Gardens resident pled guilty to violent disorder and got 20 months in a young offenders’ institution.
The judge also revoked a previous Youth Rehabilitation Order from a 2019 violent disorder case and replaced it with a consecutive 12-month detention. His total sentence: 32 months behind bars.
Past Violence Haunts Him
The 2019 case involved a horrific fight in Rose Lane. A 17-year-old victim suffered life-altering injuries. While Golding admitted being involved beforehand, he denied involvement in the assault itself.
PC Georgia England, Kent Police’s lead investigator, said: “There is absolutely no place for this kind of mindless violence in Canterbury, or anywhere else in Kent. Kent Police takes assaults and anti-social behaviour very seriously and will always work to bring those responsible before the courts. I am pleased this violent offender has now been jailed and is no longer able to bring such shameful scenes to the streets of the city.”
