Imara Gillings of Crystal Palace, south London, was assisting in the cuckooing of a town address in October 2020.

He was found near the address with serious stab wounds after a dispute with another county line drug dealer.

Following an investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, the attacker was sentenced to 20 years in prison for causing grievous bodily harm and other offences across the country.

The investigation also revealed that Gillings had thrown away a bag after the incident on Balfour Road on October 6, 2020.

The analysis of the substances found in the bag revealed that it contained crack cocaine and heroin with a street value of around £2,000.

Gillings was charged with and later admitted to possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply after being released from the hospital.

On Thursday, January 19, 2023, the 21-year-old was sentenced to three years and ten months in prison at Canterbury Crown Court.

I hope this case sends two messages to anyone thinking about dealing drugs,’ said Detective Sergeant Richard Allingham of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

‘The first is that you may become another victim of the serious violence that all too often goes hand in hand with county lines activity.

‘The second is that you will end up in prison, with sentences commensurate with the impact these groups have on our communities.’