A mother and son have been sentenced to a combined total of 10 and a half years in prison following a brutal hammer attack on a former friend in Folkestone, Kent. Charlie Haynes, 22, and Laura Haynes were convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent after an unprovoked assault on Stacey Blackman on June 1, 2024.
The violent attack resulted in Ms Blackman suffering a fractured jaw and losing several teeth.
Brutal Home Ambush
The pair knocked on Ms Blackman’s door before ambushing her with a hammer. After she curled into a ball to protect herself, the attackers dragged her into the bathroom and forced her head under water, causing her to fear she would drown. Charlie Haynes repeatedly punched her face as she tried to rest her head on a toilet seat in a bathroom stained with blood.
Jury Conviction And Sentencing
Both defendants denied the attack following their arrest the next day, but were found unanimously guilty at Canterbury Crown Court in February. Charlie Haynes was sentenced to five years in prison, while Laura Haynes received five and a half years. Recorder Michael Turner noted the severe psychological and physical impact the assault had on Ms Blackman.
Revenge Motive Unclear
The prosecution described the attack as motivated by revenge, although the exact reasons remain unclear. Possible motives included retaliation for smashed windows belonging to Laura Haynes or a dispute over a missing phone.
Ms Blackman’s victim statement detailed the lasting trauma she has endured, including extensive dental damage requiring £20,000 worth of treatment that is not covered by the NHS.
Impact On Victim
Ms Blackman revealed that the assault shattered her sense of safety, leaving her afraid to go out before 9pm, which coincides with a police-imposed curfew on the attackers. She also reported being unable to use her own bathtub for months due to fears stemming from the attack.
Planned And Premeditated
The prosecution highlighted the considerable planning involved in the assault. Prosecutor Allister Walker described Laura Haynes as directing her son during the attack, including taunts aimed at Ms Blackman. The defence acknowledged both defendants’ previous good character but could not justify the violence.
Originally published by UKNIP.
