A Hastings man has been convicted of violently assaulting a 77-year-old pensioner, leaving him with serious injuries.
Joseph Charlott, 22, of Deepdene Gardens, Hastings, appeared at Lewes Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, assaulting an emergency worker, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal damage. The three-day trial concluded on Friday, 3 October. Charlott has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 18 November.
The incident took place in May 2023, when Sussex Police were alerted to a violent assault on Malvern Way, Hastings. Detective Sergeant Jake O’Reilly provided details of the brutal attack:
“In May 2023, Sussex Police were alerted to a violent assault in Malvern Way, Hastings, which left a 77-year-old man in hospital with serious injuries, including a fractured shoulder blade, fractured ribs, and a fractured chest bone.”
DS O’Reilly explained that Charlott had already come to the attention of Sussex Police, having spat at an officer and been found in possession of a knuckleduster just 24 hours prior to the attack. The following day, Charlott forced entry into the victim’s motorhome, leading to the violent confrontation.
“When he was then confronted by its owner, who phoned the police, Charlott responded with a flurry of violence that culminated in him knocking the victim to the ground and repeatedly kicking him while he was lying defenceless,” DS O’Reilly said.
After the assault, Charlott evaded capture and remained on the run for three months. When officers finally located him in August, he attempted to flee by jumping from a second-storey window but was eventually apprehended.
Charlott was acquitted of one charge of assaulting an emergency worker, but DS O’Reilly praised the collaborative effort that led to his conviction.
“This level of violence against a vulnerable member of the public protecting his property is indefensible, and I’m glad to see that, on hearing the evidence, the jury has convicted the defendant,” he said. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the many teams across Sussex Police who worked tirelessly to investigate, locate, arrest, and charge Charlott, and I hope his sentencing in November will offer some closure for the victims and reflect the destruction he has caused.”
Charlott is scheduled for sentencing on 18 November.
