Diner stabbed in head with fork in curry house
A father and son who attacked a diner with a fork and wine glass in a Maidstone restaurant have been jailed.
Nigel and Ben Goodall turned on Gary Tween when he challenged a 10-minute sweary anti-police tirade coming from their table at Shamrat in Lower Stone Street.
Mr Tween told Maidstone Crown Court: “I found it offensive. Also my son is a police officer who I am very proud of.” The jury heard the man who had been ranting, Paul Stone, apologised and offered to pay for Mr Tween’s meal.
But his friends the Goodalls launched an attack on him using a broken glass and a fork.
Nigel Goodall, 68, of Medway Meadows, East Peckham and son Ben, 44, of Kent Road, Snodland were convicted of wounding with intent and jailed for three years and eight months. The jury heard the restaurant’s manager intervened when the Goodalls become aggressive and invited Mr Tween and his pal Darren Valencia to finish their drinks at the bar. But as Mr Tween put on his jacket he was attacked.
Prosecutor Richard Job said: “Ben launched himself towards Mr Tween and punched him in the face. Nigel Goodall, having picked up a fork in the restaurant, used it to repeatedly stab
Mr Tweed in the back of his head.
“Mr Valencia then rushed back and tried to pull Ben Goodall away and it descended into a scuffle, with the four crashing into tables.
“Ben Goodall then grabbed some cutlery but before he could do anything he was placed in a bear hug by Mr Valencia, who held onto him.
“His father picked up a wine glass from a table and lunged towards Mr Tweed’s face, missed but did jam the glass into Mr Tweed’s head, breaking it and causing a nasty cut.”
Nigel Goodall told the court he thought Mr Tween had thrown the first punch and that he was trying to diffuse the situation.