Four thugs have been jailed for serious violence which left victims with stab wounds and bone fractures.

Ricky Blackwell was sentenced for two attacks within a few hours outside pubs in Swanscombe and Chatham.

The 24-year-old, of The Grove, Swanscombe, was jailed for nine years under an extended sentence for public protection.

He was given a similar sentence involving eight years detention at the age of 15 in 2008 for wounding his mother’s partner with intent.

Jason Holmes, 45, of Wood Street, Sheerness, was jailed for five years and four months, Aaron Smith, 22, of The Brook, Chatham, for two years and Barry Pozzoli, 28, of Military Road, Chatham, for four months.

Maidstone Crown Court heard one of the victims David Walters was outside the Wheatsheaf pub in Swanscombe High Street having a cigarette on September 21 last year when Blackwell confronted him.

After accusing Mr Walters of talking about him, he punched him repeatedly in the face, causing two fractures to his jaw. He lost teeth and had to have reconstructive surgery.

“He has had ongoing problems as a result of this injury which I have no doubt caused him considerable pain, distress and inconvenience,” said Judge Adele Williams.

“It had a great impact on his life.”

The second incident was in the early hours of the next day outside Churchill’s in The Brook after an earlier clash with Pozzoli.

Blackwell had ben chased away but he returned with a knife and confronted Pozzoli and stabbed him in the thigh, causing deep cuts that needed stitches.

After Blackwell left Frank Phillips appeared on the scene armed with a golf club. He was set upon by others, including Smith and Holmes.

Mr Phillips, 69, was left with fractured ribs, a punctured lung and a wound to his head. He was in hospital for four weeks.

Blackwell admitted wounding with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm; Holmes admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent; Smith admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and Pozzoli admitted battery.

Mary Jacobson, for Holmes, said the father was so horrified at what he had done he could not bring himself to look at CCTV footage.

Judge Williams told Blackwell: “There is no doubt you have already shown yourself capable of very serious violence indeed.

“I have no doubt you pose a serious risk of causing harm by the commission of further offences.”

Blackwell will have to serve six years of the sentence before he will be considered for parole.

He will be on licence for a further five years.

The judge said Holmes had persistently attacked his victim with fists and feet. Smith punched Mr Phillips and kicked him while was on the ground.

Pozzoli, who was allowed to sit in the public gallery away from the other three in the dock, played a smaller part. He was released immediately as he had served the sentence on remand.

Detective Sergeant Lynn Lewis, of Kent Police, said: “The offenders in this case have subjected their victims to shocking amounts of violence and it is fortunate that the results were not as serious as we feared they could have been at the time.

“Their actions are completely reprehensible and the sentences imposed are entirely appropriate.”

Detective Sergeant Lynn Lewis said: "The offenders in this case have subjected their victims to shocking amounts of violence and it is fortunate that the results were not as serious as we feared they could have been at the time.

"Their actions are completely reprehensible and the sentences imposed are entirely appropriate."