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Ashford thug pushed man in bush and assaulted another at The Charing Surgery

A thug attacked two people at a doctor’s surgery, pushing one into a bush and hitting another, a court has heard.

Taylor Kirkpatrick, of Hampden Road, Ashford, pushed one man into a bush and assaulted another at the practice in Charing.

Taylor Kirkpatrick was charged with two assaults and driving without insurance
Taylor Kirkpatrick was charged with two assaults and driving without insurance

The 24-year-old had failed to turn up for his trial at Margate Magistrates’ Court yesterday, so the bench decided to hear the case without him.

The court heard Kirkpatrick, who is also known as Taylor Charles, had previously denied two charges of assault and one of driving without insurance when he appeared in court in October last year.

Recalling events at The Charing Surgery on March 21, Alan Balneaves, prosecuting, said: “This is a rather odd case.

“The defendant Taylor Kirkpatrick was seen in an agitated state in the surgery and then leaves, and as he does he pushes a man, Andrew Thomas, into a bush and then walks back into the surgery.

“Inside, [another man] was getting his medication and Kirkpatrick shadow-boxes him and then hits him and he drops his medication.”

Taylor Kirkpatrick did not show up for his trial in Margate. Photo: Kent Police
Taylor Kirkpatrick did not show up for his trial in Margate. Photo: Kent Police

The court was told it was at this point staff from the surgery called police. Kirkpatrick then left and drove off in a black Volkswagen Golf.

When officers arrived at the scene, CCTV was checked and an officer identified Kirkpatrick. He was arrested a few days later.

Mr Balneaves added: “After he was arrested he gave no reason [for what he did] and made no comment in interview. It’s all a little odd.”

Magistrates heard from three witnesses - the medical practice manager, Alison Leonard, and the two men who were assaulted.

Ms Leonard said Kirkpatrick had been acting strangely, was agitated, and had been driving his Golf around the car park of the surgery.

She had seen him go up to Mr Thomas, but never saw him actually push him.

She also said after the interaction with Mr Thomas, Kirkpatrick had gone back into the surgery and pushed or punched the second man, which made him drop his medication.

Taylor Kirkpatrick was due to appear at Margate Magistrates' Court but the case was heard in his absence
Taylor Kirkpatrick was due to appear at Margate Magistrates' Court but the case was heard in his absence

Mr Thomas told the court how the thug had shouted at him before he pushed him straight into a bush and had even apparently threatened to run him over in his car.

The second witness told magistrates Kirkpatrick had offered to fight him before raising his hand and leg as if he was going to kick him. But he confirmed he was pushed and had to take half a step back to steady himself, and dropped a box of his medicine.

He said Kirkpatrick then apologised to him, claiming he was upset over a personal matter.

Mr Balneaves told the court it was up to the defendant to prove he had insurance, so in his absence magistrates also found him guilty of that offence.

Chairman of the bench Dianne August said: “We find the defendant guilty of the two assaults and driving without insurance. We heard he pushed and put in fear the men and threatened to run Mr Thomas over in the car.

“All three witnesses were credible and consistent and the defendant gave no comment in interview and he is not here today and no insurance certificate was produced.”

After reaching their verdict, the bench issued a warrant for Kirkpatrick’s arrest.

He was arrested by police yesterday.

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