Individual Jailed After Attacking Two on Day of Prison Release

An individual who committed “random and unprovoked” assaults against two people on the same day he was released from prison has been re-incarcerated. Wayne Blackburn, aged 43, residing at Milton Street, Swanscombe, Kent, assaulted the victims within their residences while under the influence of alcohol. These events transpired mere hours after his release from custody on licence. Blackburn, whom police characterized as a “violent and untrustworthy individual,” admitted guilt to charges of unlawful wounding and assault by beating. He received a sentence of two years and four months in prison on Wednesday, along with an order to provide £2,000 in compensation to the victim of the wounding incident within an 18-month period. Police reported that Blackburn was released on licence at 10:00 GMT on 17 October 2024, and by the conclusion of that day, he was in an intoxicated condition. At 21:30, he forcibly entered a residence and was requested to depart by the occupant, who was unfamiliar with him. Blackburn then abruptly punched and head-butted the man multiple times, inflicting a severe injury by biting the victim’s thumb during the attempt to self-defend. Subsequent to leaving the initial premises, he proceeded to a second address within the village and knocked on its door. He attempted to gain entry when the door was opened but was repelled by the individual residing there. Law enforcement was summoned to the occurrences, and Blackburn was apprehended. He faced charges, was recalled to prison, and subsequently entered a guilty plea at Woolwich Crown Court. Detective Constable Maria Pereira stated: “This man was released from prison on licence and was given the opportunity to show he had reformed. “Sadly he failed to live up to this hope and promptly assaulted two people in their own homes. The assaults were entirely random and unprovoked.”Blackburn is patently a violent and untrustworthy individual and further period in prison will certainly reassure the residents on Swanscombe.”