Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Knife-obsessed addict slashed dog-walker
A dog walker accused of failing to pick up after his pet was slashed during a heated row with a knifeobsessed drug addict.
Mr Jerrom suffered a cut to his arm as he was attacked by Alan White while out on a stroll in Reculver Drive in Beltinge.
Moments before a woman had shouted abuse at Mr Jerrom, claiming he had not cleared up after his dog.
Mr Jerrom, who is in his 50s, said the mess was not made by his dog, but picked it up anyway and put it in a bin.
Prosecuting at Canterbury Crown Court, Donna East said: “The victim went over to speak to the woman and White produced a knife, which the victim described as a dagger. He put his arms out to protect himself and was cut on the forearm.”
The police were called and White’s car was seen in Victoria Road, Herne Bay, where he was arrested. His home in Hoath, near Canterbury, was searched and several knives, a knife holster and a knife belt were found.
“This clearly demonstrates an interest in knives,” Miss East added.
Paul Hogben, defending, claimed another dog walker gave a different account of the incident, alleging that Mr Jerrom had punched White first after approaching his car.
He added of his client: “He accepts he had a knife because he was going to cut up some chicken to feed his dog.
“The victim made no reference in his statement to punching White.”
Mr Hogben said White, who served with the Royal Green Jackets from 1995 until 1998, suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and social phobias, and was abusing class A drugs.
White, 40, admitted affray and possessing a knife in a public place on July 21 and was jailed for a year.