A man has recounted a harrowing altercation where he was sprayed with an unidentified substance by a stranger outside a pub, leaving him “unconscious” and fearing for his life. Adam Tickner, aged 33, shared his ordeal following an incident at Ye Arrow in Rochester, Kent, last year, which has resulted in him suffering from severe PTSD. The perpetrator, Alfie Russell, received a suspended prison sentence recently after admitting to a charge of actual bodily harm (ABH) instead of grievous bodily harm (GBH).
Tickner, a father of two from Sittingbourne, Kent, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, as he believed justice was not fully served when it was revealed that the substance used was downgraded to hand sanitizer. He spent several days in the hospital with burns to his face, eyes, mouth, and throat, with medical professionals warning him of the potential fatal consequences of the attack.
The incident occurred when Tickner, an assistant headteacher, was having drinks with his wife and friends at Ye Arrow in Rochester. He intervened in a confrontation where a stranger assaulted one of his friends, leading to the assailant throwing the substance at Tickner, causing him to lose consciousness and suffer excruciating pain.
Despite doctors diagnosing the substance as corrosive, the police classified it differently, sparking further frustration for Tickner. Russell, hailing from Hornchurch in East London, was eventually sentenced to a 45-week suspended prison term, 150 hours of community service, and ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation, including £1,200 to Tickner.
Tickner expressed shock at the lenient sentence, given the severity of his injuries and the medical advice he received, indicating that he was fortunate to survive the attack. The police clarified that the substance tested at the scene did not contain acidic or alkali elements, rendering the victim’s clothing unsuitable for forensic analysis.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that the charges were amended based on the available evidence, leading to Russell’s admission of guilt for ABH and affray. The CPS emphasized the lack of forensic proof regarding the substance used in the attack, prompting the adjustment in charges to accurately reflect the crime’s gravity.
Tickner’s ordeal sheds light on the complexities of criminal proceedings and the challenges faced by victims seeking justice in cases of violent assaults.