Maidstone Crown Court, where Spence was cleared of wounding

by Keith Hunt

A man accused of a double stabbing with a pair of scissors broken in two has been cleared of wounding charges.

Michael Clarke was left with blood pouring from his neck and in need of emergency surgery to save his life. His friend Jake West suffered a wound to his back.

But Nathan Spence was acquitted by a jury of two offences of wounding with intent and alternatives of unlawful wounding. He was also cleared of having an offensive weapon.

The 25-year-old, of James Street, Gillingham, denied the charges, claiming he acted in self-defence.

After the verdicts, a judge said he hoped the parties involved had learnt a valuable lesson.

“There seems to be a predilection in certain areas for people to sort themselves out with violence and carry weapons,” Judge Charles Byers told the defence lawyer.

"it strikes horror into me that in an incident of ill-feeling somebody was seriously injured principally because of a silly dispute between two women" – judge charles byers

“It is indisputable your client had that weapon, although the jury has found he had a reasonable excuse. It strikes horror into me that in an incident of ill-feeling somebody was seriously injured principally because of a silly dispute between two women.

“I hope there has been something to learn from that.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard the violence erupted after Mr Clarke’s girlfriend Elizabeth Cable told him Spence had assaulted her.

They were at Miss Cable’s flat in James Street on September 10 when they saw Spence coming out of his home.

There was “a staring stand-off” between the two men. Mr Clarke decided to go outside.

When asked by Spence what he was looking at Mr Clarke, 20, replied: “Just looking at a woman beater.”

They met between the two flats and Spence denied attacking Miss Cable, known as Libby. The dispute seemed to be settled and they parted.

Prosecutor Catherine Donnelly told the court: “He said his clear intention was to hit Nathan Spence. He went straight up to him and punched him. He felt a blow to his throat, causing him to stumble back.”

Mr Clarke’s windpipe was severed and he was also wounded in the side. It was only while Mr West was at hospital that he realised he had been wounded in the back.