Tyler Lucock and a 16-year-old boy pounced on the victim in an alleyway near Grange Road in the early hours of Friday 27 January 2023.

Together they stabbed him twice and also left him with several cuts. After the incident, they fled the scene and left the victim to stagger out of the alleyway and onto Pelham Road where he called for help.

The victim, a man in his 40s, was lured there by Luke Samuel, a man he knew. However, Samuel had set him up and knew that Lucock and the teenager were waiting to assault him.

During the assault, a knife was used along with a metal weapon. Samuel walked away from the scene while the incident was unfolding.

All three suspects were arrested on 1 February 2023 and later charged with attempted murder, which they all denied.

However, following a trial Lucock, of Taunton Vale, Gravesend, was found guilty by a jury. He was sentenced on Friday 12 January 2024 at Maidstone Crown Court where he was jailed for 18 years and three months, which he will serve at a Young Offenders’ Institute.  

Luke Samuel, 40, of Medhurst Crescent, Gravesend, later pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm without intent. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place which related to a separate incident. He was jailed on the same date for two years and three months.

The 16-year-old boy admitted grievous bodily harm with intent and on the same date he was handed a three-year Youth Referral Order. He will also have to wear an electronic tag for six months and is excluded from the town for 12 months.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Kati Edge said: ‘Lucock set out that night intent on seriously injuring the victim. He had arranged with Samuel to ensure the man was in the area at that time so he could inflict serious harm on him which we believe was related to drug dealing.

‘Lucock’s lengthy sentence reflects the violence and gravity of his offending. This violent incident could have easily resulted in a man losing his life that night. Samuel may not have directly inflicted the victim’s injuries, however, he played a key role in getting the victim to the location, knowing the intentions of Lucock, and it’s only right that he is also sentenced accordingly.’