A 17-year-old girl who went to the aid of a man whose face had been slashed has won the praise of a judge.

Sabrina Dougal had been standing near Red Lion Square, in Hythe, when she spotted the injured James Wright.

Mr Wright had been hurt in a machete attack and was losing so much blood he looked like "someone who had had a pot of red paint tipped over him", Canterbury Crown Court was told.

But his friend Mark Stephens, who had caused the injury in a fight, ignored Mr Wright's plea to be taken to hospital and drove him instead to the home of another friend "for a drink".

James Bilsland, prosecuting, said Mr Wright then staggered into the street - where he was seen by the teenager - who advised him to put pressure on the wound and then called for an ambulance.

Judge Adele Williams said Sabrina had behaved "commendably" and recommended she receive a High Sheriff's Award "for her public spiritedness".

Mr Wright initially claimed he had been mugged by youngsters after his friend had pleaded with him not to report the attack.

But officers followed the trail of blood from the bus stop to a house nearby where Stephens was found drinking.

"he looked like someone who had had a pot of red paint tipped over him…” – james bisland, prosecuting

Stephens, 51, of Satmore Lane, Capel Le Ferne, was jailed for two years and eight months after admitting unlawful wounding.

The prosecutor claimed Stephens and Mr Wright had been friends and spent the day drinking in Stephen's new caravan.

He said a third man turned up and, during the afternoon, Stephens believed his wallet had been stolen and the two men began arguing.

Mr Wright said Stephens grabbed a machete and slashed his face - leaving him with a deep wound that severed the muscle and needed 14 stitches.

The court heard that since the attack he had grown a beard to hide the scar.
Thomas Restell, defending, said Stephens had been angry that a wallet with £1,200 had gone missing - it was later found with £600 inside - after the third man had gone.

He said Stephens regretted instantly the wound he had caused during the fight.

Mr Restell claimed Stephens had been teetotal for two years and had been drinking tea during the afternoon - and only turned to alcohol later when he realised he was in trouble.