Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
CITY ATTACK
Boy, 17, seriously hurt in stabbing
A man has been charged after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in the back in the city centre. Police and the air ambulance were called to Palace Street at 2.30pm on Sunday.
The teenager was flown to hospital with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening. Julie Nuttall, owner of The Cheese Shop, told the Gazette how she had rushed to help the boy.
She said: “I saw a lot of alarmed-looking people, so I went outside and I saw he was on the floor of The Running Outlet next door.
“The girl manning the shop was on the phone to the police. “He was just a young boy and he had been stabbed in the back, so I held the wound together and talked to him.
“It was just instinctive. “The police came and took over, so I went back to my shop, closed up and went home.” Police sealed off a section of Palace Street, and the air ambulance landed in Green Court, close to the Cathedral. Resident Joe Egerton, 68, said: “It’s dreadful that this has happened in Canterbury. It’s shocking.”
The incident prompted MP Rosie Duffield to assure residents it was not terrorism-related.
She added: “Thanks to all our emergency services for acting quickly and local retailers who heroically stepped in to help. “My thoughts are with the young person involved and his loved ones.
“Hoping he makes a full recovery very quickly.” Joshua Bruton, 21, of no fixed address, was arrested near Old Park Avenue on the same day as the attack.
He has since been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a blade in public. He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court via virtual link on Tuesday.
He was remanded in custody until July 20, when his case will be heard at Canterbury Crown Court.
A 22-year-old man from Canterbury, who was also arrested the same day as the attack, has been bailed until July 17 while the investigation continues. Witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are asked to call 01843 222289, quoting 46/104847/20.