Herne Bay teenager arrested high street gang attack
15:57, 06 August 2019
updated: 18:39, 06 August 2019
A second person has been arrested after armed police were called to a busy high street when a man in his underwear was beaten by a gang in broad daylight.
Dramatic footage shows the moment the victim was pulled from his flat in Herne Bay and dragged to the ground yesterday afternoon.
Stunned onlookers gasped as three men dressed in dark clothes rained down blows on the victim as he cowered on the pavement.
Scroll down to hear from a woman who witnessed the attack
The brutal attack left onlookers shocked
The brutal assault only ended when estate agents intervened and the attackers fled - two on mountain bikes and the other on foot.
Luisa Carlino, who runs Wild Daisy Florist in the high street, said: “For it to have happened in daylight is quite horrific and shocking.
“I’ve been in business in the town for eight years and it’s the first time I’ve seen something so dramatic.
“There were kids about and a lot of people were stood around watching. It’s not something you want to see when you’ve got your shop open.”
A 29-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of affray and subsequently taken to hospital with a stab wound. He has since been discharged from hospital and released on bail until August 27.
A 17-year-old boy, also from Herne Bay, was arrested on suspicion of assault on the same day after he attended a police station at about 4.40pm. He has been released without charge.
Another business owner, who does not want to be named, says she locked her shop’s doors when the incident occurred.
“There was loud banging and shouting as someone was trying to kick in the door,” she added.
“They dragged the guy out as he tried to hold the door shut and started beating him up. It was all very quick.”
One witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told how the three men kicked down the door to the flat, between Miles & Barr and The Gold Exchange.
She says the man had been seen shouting and throwing glass from his flat window above the shops moments before the attack.
"They kicked him to pieces,” she said. “The estate agents intervened. If they hadn't, it could have been much worse.
"Where I was, there were little girls watching and crying."
Staff at Miles & Barr declined to comment.
Police say officers were called to a "disturbance" at about 1pm.
Anyone with information or footage of the incident is urged to call police on 01843 222289, quoting 46/150816/19, or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline 0800 555111.
To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here
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