Man, 22, behind bars after after stabbing victim near Canterbury East railway station

A man has been jailed for six years after stabbing his victim outside a train station in the early hours of the morning.

Rashaan White has been sentenced following his involvement in the serious assault outside Canterbury East railway station, which left the male victim requiring hospital treatment.

The incident took place on September 29 last year at about 1am, with White stabbing his victim twice with a knife.

White and fellow perpetrator Joseph Agbata were arrested within a day of the attack, with both then being charged.

The 22-year-old, of Wincheap, later admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was jailed for six years at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 5 July.

Agbata, also 22, was handed a two-year suspended sentence for unlawful wounding for his involvement.

Witnesses saw White and Agbata chasing a man along the road outside Canterbury East railway station on the night of the attack.

In an attempt to get away, the victim got into a van waiting nearby, leading the vehicle's owner to jump out and get into another van.

White then smashed the windows of the van in which the victim was hiding, prompting him to flee before White and Agbata caught up with him and repeatedly punched him.

Upon falling to the ground, the pair kicked, punched and stamped the victim with White twice stabbing him with a knife.

The victim suffered stab wounds and other injuries and was taken to a London hospital, from where he was later discharged.

Using footage filmed by witnesses and local CCTV, officers tracked White to a nearby accommodation building where he was staying and he was arrested at around 3.30 pm that afternoon.

Clothing matching the garments he was seen wearing during the attack was found in the room where he was staying, linking him to the offence.

Police in Canterbury were given extra stop and search powers following the attack and one of the officers brought in as part of the response saw Agbata in the area at around 5pm that afternoon. He was stopped and arrested.

Detective constable Connie Baker, investigating officer for East Kent CID, said: “This was an extremely violent assault and it is only through sheer good fortune that the victim did not suffer far more serious injuries.

“I would like to thank the members of the public who assisted our investigation. Their help led to officers arresting both of these men within hours of the assault.

“There is absolutely no place for knife crime in Kent and we will do everything within our power to track down violent offenders and bring them to justice.”