Paul Hogben Secures Acquittal in Serious s18 Hammer Attack

The defendant was charged with s18 unlawful wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and alternatively s20 unlawful wounding, following an incident on 1 July 2025 in a multi-occupancy house in Herne Bay.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant struck the complainant on the head with a hammer during an argument on the landing, causing the complainant to fall down the stairs and sustain a 4cm full thickness head lacerations.

Upon arrest, the defendant denied the allegation and was abusive to police. He gave no comment in interview.

However, in his Defence Statement, he claimed that he acted in lawful self defence, saying the complainant and his brother attacked him and he picked up a hammer from the floor fearing for his life.

At trial, the Crown was allowed to present the defendant’s five previous convictions for violence. They called the complainant, his brother, and an independent eyewitness. Through careful cross examination, The defence successfully undermined the reliability and consistency of all three witnesses.

After a five day trial at Canterbury Crown Court, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on both counts.