Man jailed for biting victim's nose found hiding under clothes pile in Sittingbourne

Nathan Austen, 35, was arrested hiding under a heap of clothes after a violent assault on Sittingbourne High Street. He was jailed for three years at Maidstone Crown Court.

Man sentenced to three years after nose-biting assault in Sittingbourne

Nathan Austen, 35, was pulled from beneath a pile of clothes at a Newbridge Road address on 11 May, three days after carrying out a violent assault on Sittingbourne High Street, Kent. The Sun reports that bodycam footage captured officers entering a cluttered flat, sifting through garments, and lifting the poorly concealed man from the floor.

The attack took place on 8 May on Sittingbourne High Street. During the altercation, Austen threw several punches before chasing his victim down the street and attempting to bite off the man's nose. He then fled the scene, prompting Kent Police to open an investigation.

Officers tracked Austen to a property on Newbridge Road, where they found him lurking beneath a heap of clothing. He was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and later pleaded guilty to the offence.

On 12 October, Austen was sentenced to three years and one month at Maidstone Crown Court.

Police constable Caitlin Harding, who led the investigation, said: "Austen may have thought he could evade justice by hiding beneath a pile of clothes, but officers were not fooled." Harding added that a thorough investigation identified him as the person responsible for the assault and ensured he was brought before the court.

"This sentence reflects the severity of the injuries caused to the victim and demonstrates our commitment to pursuing offenders and protecting the public from violent crime," Harding said.

The case follows a separate incident in July in which a wanted man was discovered concealed inside a kitchen fridge. Dean Foord, from Rochester, had been on the run from police when officers found him at the property. He had been subject to investigation following a prolonged campaign of physical and psychological abuse against a victim, who told police he had locked her in a room and released her only when she barked like a dog.

Source: The Sun