Man's eyelid punctured by pencil during fight in Canterbury

A MAN was lucky to escape without losing his sight after being attacked with a pencil during a fight in Canterbury.

The 38-year-old was in the High Street with his son when they got into a confrontation with a group of men and women. His eyelid was punctured in the attack but fortunately his sight was not affected.

Investigating officer PC Matthew Smith said: "The man was walking down the High Street with his son to find a taxi after a night out when they came across a small group of three or four men and women.

"An argument between the two groups broke out, during which a man struck the victim in his left eye with a pencil. Although the pencil punctured his eyelid it missed his actual eye and fortunately his sight has not been affected."

The altercation took place at some time between 12.45am and 1am on Christmas Day. A 27-year-old man from Erith has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is on bail until February 6 while enquiries continue.

Anyone who saw what happened during the incident, which happened between Palace Street and Stour Street, should contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting crime number ZY/4050/11.