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Ricky King beat Gary Fidler with baseball bat at Sheppey Beach Villas in Leysdown

A drink-crazed thug launched a ferocious attack on a man with a baseball bat, leaving him with so many facial fractures a doctor declared he was unable to count them.

As well as broken bones in both Gary Fidler’s cheeks, his skull, forehead and jaw, he needed 130 stitches and was kept in hospital for 11 days.

“He said in his statement every bone in his face was broken,” said prosecutor Nina Ellin.

Ricky King
Ricky King

The sickening assault was made by Ricky King after going to the victim’s first floor flat in Leysdown on January 24 this year and grabbing the bat from a cupboard there.

Afterwards, he turned his attention to a neighbour, Nardia Hadley, making a “crazed” attack on her while ranting: “I run around here.”

King, of Manor Way, Leysdown, was jailed for 10 years after admitting causing Mr Fidler grievous bodily harm with intent and assaulting Miss Hadley, causing actual bodily harm.

Under an extended sentence for public protection, he will not be considered for release until he has served two thirds and will be on licence for a further four years.

Sheppey Beach Villas in Leysdown
Sheppey Beach Villas in Leysdown

Maidstone Crown Court King claimed he was passing Sheppey Beach Villas in Manor Way in the evening when Mr Fidler shouted something from his balcony.

King, 27, went to the flat, despite there being a locked gate. Mr Fidler went to the door and was struck around the face.

He fell to his knees as King continued to bludgeon him with the bat. He came to in Medway Hospital and had to be transferred to a London hospital.

Miss Hadley heard thuds and Mr Fidler say: "Enough - I have had enough now."

The boy was locked up for sexual abuse
The boy was locked up for sexual abuse

Miss Ellin said paramedics and police officers arrived to find the kitchen smashed up and the walls and floor covered in blood.

One of the doctors who treated the victim said there were too many facial fractures to count, adding: "His whole face would have wobbled.” Nerves in his left arm were damaged.

Judge Philip Statman said: "This was a ferocious attack with a weapon - there is no doubt whatsoever."

He told King, who was jailed for two years in 2006 for wounding with intent: "I am satisfied you are undoubtedly dangerous. This was a sustained and repeated attack."

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